Short Discourses on Gospel Themes Dedicated to All Who are Interested in the Redemption of the Living and the Dead
by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and President of the Genealogical Society
Level 1 headings mark the beginning of each of the 49 chapters.
Level 2 headings mark the subsections within the chapters., as well as the introductory items at the beginning of the book.
During the last two decades lessons in genealogical research and temple
work have been prepared by the Genealogical Society of Utah for the benefit
and guidance of all members of the Church who are interested in the salvation
of their dead.
A great deal of the material in these lessons, of necessity, has been
repeated from year to year, for the study of genealogy is of such a nature
that definite and unchanging principles govern to a very large degree in that
work. Research, which pertains to the discovery of names from old, and
ofttimes musty records, parish registers, tombstones, family Bibles, letters,
wills, deeds and a thousand and one other sources, by which families are
linked together from generation to generation, is now developing into an art.
During the past eighty years, or since the spirit of research in the records
of the dead has taken hold of the hearts of the people in real ernest, methods
of research have been devised and improves until in many respects genealogy
has almost reached the status of an exact science. Under such conditions
lessons dealing with this subject of research must follow very largely on the
same general lines. Moreover the rules and regulations which govern temple
work are fixed and seldom change. Therefore text books on temple work and
genealogy, in most of the details, are the same from year to year. In fact it
is quite possible for a text to be prepared in such matters which would be
almost permanent.
The publication of this text, The Way to Perfection, has come about
through repeated requests from our workers for a faith-promoting discussion of
doctrinal principles and historical themes which justify the large place
salvation for the living and the dead occupies in the life of every Latter-day
Saint. After much hesitation on his part the author was persuaded, and
appointed, by the Board of Directors of the Genealogical Society of Utah, to
undertake such a work.
The principles of the Gospel do not change. In connection with the
lessons previously published, doctrines of the Church have been considered.
This present text is not an attempt to give the saints something new. The
ordinances of baptism, laying on of hands, ordination, etc., are the same
today as they have been through all generations since the beginning of time.
Yet it is a fact, as every Latter-day Saint can say, that these principles
which never change are in another sense always new. All who delight in the
keeping of the commandments of the Lord are made to rejoice in every
discussion of these principles. They never tire of hearing them. Yet old and
familiar subjects may be dressed in new clothes; they need not always the
application of Gospel truths in application of Gospel truths in human lives
which gives them their vital significance. It is here presented will inspire
Latter-day Saints to be awake and to be more valiant in the service of God.
This book has been prepared not only for study by genealogical workers,
but also for general use throughout the Church. Lesson outlines based upon
these themes will be published in the Utah Genealogical Society and
Historical Magazine, so that all who desire may obtain them.
Joseph Fielding Smith.
Salt Lake City, August 1, 1931.
Preface
Chapter 1 THE WAY TO PERFECTION
Chapter 2 BETWEEN TWO CURTAINS
Chapter 3 THE INHERITANCE OF GREATEST WORTH
Chapter 4 ORGANIZED INTELLIGENCES
Chapter 5 THE WAY OF LIFE
Chapter 6 PRE-MORTAL PREPARATION
Chapter 7 APPOINTMENT OF LINEAGE
Chapter 8 "THESE I WILL MAKE MY RULERS"
Chapter 9 FIRST REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL PLAN
Chapter 10 THE LANGUAGE OF ADAM
Chapter 11 EARLY DAY SUCCESSION IN THE PRIESTHOOD
Chapter 12 ANCIENT BOOKS OF REMEMBRANCE
Chapter 13 THE COVENANT OF THE LORD WITH ABRAHAM
Chapter 14 THY SEED SHALL BE LIKE UNTO THESE
Chapter 15 THE SEED OF CAIN
Chapter 16 THE SEED OF CAIN AFTER THE FLOOD
Chapter 17 THE LAW OF PRIMOGENITURE
Chapter 18 EPHRAIM AND HIS BLESSINGS
Chapter 19 EPHRAIM IN THE LATTER DAYS
Chapter 20 THE SCATTERED SHEEP OF THE FOLD
Chapter 21 THE GOSPEL PROMISED TO THE GENTILES
Chapter 22 THE GENTILES ON THE LAND OF ZION
Chapter 23 OUR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
Chapter 24 THE COMING OF ELIJAH
Chapter 25 THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN
Chapter 26 THE PROMISE TO THE FATHERS
Chapter 27 THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
Chapter 28 THE NEW BIRTH
Chapter 29 FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Chapter 30 PREPARATION FOR ETERNAL LIFE
Chapter 31 COMMISSIONED OF GOD
Chapter 32 PRIESTHOOD SERVICE
Chapter 33 "THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE"
Chapter 34 THE LAW OF CHASTITY
Chapter 35 THE PERFECT MARRIAGE COVENANT
Chapter 36 THE FAMILY IN THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM
Chapter 37 THE NEW JERUSALEM AND ITS TEMPLE
Chapter 38 THE LAW OF CONSECRATION
Chapter 39 BEFORE THE COMING OF THE LORD
Chapter 40 THE GATHERING AT ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN
Chapter 41 THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST
Chapter 42 THE RESURRECTION OF THE UNJUST
Chapter 43 THE MILLENNIAL REIGN
Chapter 44 THE WORLD OF SPIRITS
Chapter 45 TEMPLE WORK IN THE MILLENNIUM
Chapter 46 IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE
Chapter 47 RECORDS YET TO BE REVEALED
Chapter 48 AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED
Chapter 49 THE CELESTIALIZED EARTH
Abbreviations
Books of the Bible and Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price are designated
by name, or the usual abbreviations.
For other references, these abbreviations are used:
D.C. Doctrine and Covenants.
J.H. Journal History of the Church.
J.D. Journal of Discourses.
D.H.C. Documentary History of the Church.
Discourses Discourses of Brigham Young.
Gos. Doc. -Gospel Doctrine, by Joseph F. Smith.
I.S. Inspired Scriptures, revised by Joseph Smith.
T.S. Times and Seasons.
R.S. Relief Society Magazine.
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we
wish, even your perfection. 2 Cor. 13:9.
The words of the Savior in his sermon on the Mount, "Be ye therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," have served as a
text for many a sermon. We have been informed that his meaning is that we, in
this life, should try to perform every duty and keep every law and thus
endeavor to be perfect in our sphere as the Father is in his. This is all good
and true, but does it go far enough? Was our Lord confining his remarks to our
present every-day actions? Of course we can find no fault with this
interpretation as far as it goes, for the scriptures do inspire us towards
perfection in our mortal lives. Paul, for instance, addressing the Ephesian
Saints informs them that the Savior has placed in the Church apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, "for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;
till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ." (Eph. 4: 11-13.) Moreover, to the Corinthian Saints he said:
"Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use
sharpness according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification,
and not to destruction. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be
with you." 2 Cor. 13:10-11.
But, shall we limit the meaning of these words spoken to the disciples by
our Lord to this life? I like to think of them in relationship to another
remark from the same sermon, for it seems to me they are closely connected:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto you." The majority of mankind are seeking the
things of this life rather than the kingdom of God and his righteousness, but
as members of the Church it is our duty to prepare ourselves for eternity. The
more nearly perfect our lives are here, the more nearly perfect they will be
there. If we have practiced principles of perfection, and sought the will of
the Father here, then we will find it less difficult to continue on the same
path when we pass beyond this mundane sphere. Now, what is the full duty of
man? The Preacher says: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear
(love) God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For
God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it
be good, or whether it be evil." (Eccl. 12:13-14.) And the writer to the
Hebrews says: "Therefore not leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith towards God." Heb. 6: 1, Inspired Scriptures.
Shall we not continue on to perfection after the resurrection? Is not the
promise given that we shall, if faithful in all things, become like Jesus
Christ and the Father? "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore, the world
knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved now are we the sons of God:
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (I John
3:1-3.) This was said to those who had made covenant with the Lord to serve
him and had become sons of God through their obedience. John informed them
that when Christ comes then will they be like him pure and holy. And then,
when we pass through the resurrection, we go on, as we read in Hebrews, unto
perfection through continued faithfulness.
Latter-day Saints believe in this progression in eternity until,
eventually, we become worthy through knowledge, wisdom, humility, and
obedience, to be like God, and then to have the privilege of being made equal
in power, might and dominion (D.C. 76:95), and to possess all that the Father
hath (D.C. 84:38) as members of "the Church of the First-born." (D.C. 76:54,
94.) So if such mighty blessings are promised to those who are willing to keep
the whole law unto the end, are they not to continue on in the road of
perfection after the resurrection until the fullness is reached and they shall
be like our Eternal Father?
President Brigham Young declared that "every man and woman who has talent
and hides it will be called a slothful servant. Improve day by day upon the
capital you have. In proportion as we are capacitated to receive, so it is our
duty to do." He also said, "I shall not cease learning while I live, nor when
I arrive in the spirit world, but shall there learn with greater facility; and
when I again receive my body, I shall learn a thousand times more in a
thousand times less time; and then I do not mean to cease learning." Add to
all this unlimited possibility the fact that our former knowledge, which was
taken away, shall be returned, as taught by President Joseph F. Smith. (See
Saturday Night Thoughts.) This being so, and there is no reasonable thought to
oppose it, then we shall have a wonderful fund of information on which to
build, for who knows how long we were learning in the eternity already past
when we walked with God our Father?
Another thought by President Young is worthy of consideration:
I believe in a God who has power to exalt and glorify all who
believe in him and are faithful in serving him to the end of their
lives, for this makes them gods, even the sons of God, and in this
sense also there are gods many, but to us there is but one God, and
one Lord Jesus Christ one Savior who came in the meridian of time
to redeem the earth and the children of men from the original sin
that was committed by our first parents, and bring to pass the
restoration of all things through his death and suffering, open wide
to all believers the gates of life and salvation and exaltation to
the presence of the Father and the Son to dwell with them
forevermore. Discourses p. 31-2.
In Proverbs we read that "A wise man will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels," and
that "The fear (love) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools
despise wisdom and instruction." Prov. 1:5, 7.
By revelation to Joseph Smith the Lord taught the Saints to continue in
prayer and fasting:
And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one
another the doctrine of the kingdom.
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. D.C.
88:77-78.
That this might be accomplished to the best advantage the saints were
commanded to build a house and hold their solemn assemblies where they could
learn the things of the kingdom. Further the Lord said:
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one
another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of
wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Organize
yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even
a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of
learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.
D.C. 88:118-119.
All of this instruction is given to help us to become perfect, and the
saints were further instructed to cease from all light speeches, loud
boisterous laughter, lustful desires, pride, and wicked doings. They were to
keep themselves clean morally, spiritually and physically, by a proper
observance of the laws given them. Thus they would become sanctified so that
they might dwell in the presence of the Lord. If we are able to do all of
this, surely we could be considered perfect in our sphere, and have that much
the start towards perfection in the celestial kingdom. "Every man that hath
this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure," said John,
who adds: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whatsoever continueth in sin
hath not seen him, neither know him."
The Lord has promised to reveal unto those who are diligently seeking
him, all the mysteries of his kingdom. "Yea, even wonders of eternity shall
they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many
generations: and their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to
heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the
understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I
enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my
will yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet
entered into the heart of man." D.C. 76:7-10.
It is impossible for man to understand fully the greatness of these
promises now, for many of the "hidden wonders" he could not understand; but
eventually all shall be revealed to the faithful. But we know that the promise
is made that he who walks in the light of the Spirit shall not be deceived,
and unto him shall be revealed many of the mysteries of God, that is,
knowledge of things which the unfaithful do not and cannot understand. We gain
knowledge and wisdom line upon line. "For if you keep the commandments," the
Lord said, "you shall receive of his fullness, and be glorified in me as I am
in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace. *
* * The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth * * * And no man
receiveth a fullness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his
commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and
knoweth all things." D.C. 93:20-22, 26-28.
So here we have the promise that we shall, through obedience and faith,
obtain a fullness of all truth and become like Christ, to share with him, as
joint-heirs, "all that the Father hath." We shall become the sons and
daughters of God, enjoying the fullness of glory in the abundant, or perfect
life, which Jesus Christ came into the world to give us.
In these pages we shall discuss the principles of the Gospel, the
covenants and course of life required of those who seek to come into the
presence of the Father and the Son. Only by keeping in the strait way shall we
find the fullness of joy and the life which is perfect. This is the goal which
all who truly love the Lord are seeking, and through diligent and faithful
service and endurance to the end, they shall find it.
Recently a cartoonist portrayed a man in mortal life as a lone wanderer
groping in bewilderment along a narrow path between two huge black curtains.
The curtain behind him bore the doubtful inscription, "Before birth, WHAT?"
The one in front of him, "After death, WHAT?"
Accompanying this cartoon was an article declaring that man knows nothing
of existence before birth, and that when the mortal life is ended he is bound
to enter into the realm of mystery, of which no man has knowledge.
Dr. James R. Nichols has said: "Human beings find themselves existing
upon a small planetary body whirling through space, but whence they came is a
baffling mystery. Save in the Hebrew chronicles, no book, however ancient,
affords any account of the genesis of man worthy of consideration; and no
tracing on rocks or metals, no inscriptions or picturings in any part of the
world, furnish a clue to the solution of the dark problem of the origin of the
race. Those strange visitors from the celestial spaces, the meteorites, which
are projected glowing with heat upon the crust of the earth, can give as ready
answers to our questioning as the most learned philosophers." Whence, What,
Where, p. 1.
The poet has stated it thus:
"A little season of love an laughter,
Of light and life and pleasure and pain,
And horror of outer darkness after,
and dust returneth to dust again.
Then the lesser life shall be as the greater,
And the lover of life shall join the hater,
And the one thing cometh sooner or later,
And no one knoweth the loss or gain."
A. L. Gordon.
So we might go on expressing our views of man in his meditation regarding
life and death and what was before and what may follow after.
While it is true that we must all eventually pass through the mystery of
the grave, "from whence no traveler can return" as Lehi states it, yet due to
the mercies of the Lord, we do have a more hopeful and cheerful outlook then
is here expresses by those who are not guided by the spirit of the Gospel.
There is much that we know of life before our mortal birth into this
world. There is much we understand of the life which will follow the
dissolution of the body. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ," Paul
has said, "we are of all men most miserable." All men love life; it is the
great gift of God to every creature. Even the insects will fight for life and
protect themselves from mortal enemies. The desire to live is an inherent gift
from God; nor is this desire confined to the mortal existence. That there are
some who hope there is no life after death is true; but only, we may safely
say, the corrupt who fear to face the penalty of their wicked practices. To
those who righteously live, the words of Ruskin will be fully understood:
"There is no wealth but Life Life, including all its power of love, of joy,
and admiration." Montgomery expresses the desire of immortal life in these
words:
"Who that hath ever been
Could bear to be no more?
Yet who could tread again the scene
He trod through life before?"
When Adam was placed on this earth all his former knowledge was taken
away. Yet the Lord has made known to us that Adam lived before and had
experiences as Michael, the great prince, who was chosen to stand at the head
of the human family on this earth as the Ancient of Days. We, too, had
experiences and lived in the presence of God, where we walked by sight. When
we came into this world, we, in a similar manner, forgot all and had to begin
anew. In this life we are to walk by faith, not by sight, and the blessing of
the direct presence of the Father are denied us.
Notwithstanding this, and the closing of the curtains on each side of us,
the Lord in his tender mercy and watchcare over us, has sent from his presence
his messengers to give us the necessary instruction so that we may, if
faithful, eventually come back into his presence. If unfaithful and unwilling
to hearken to the voice of his messengers or to seek the guidance of the
Spirit, which he has promised to give to all who seek him diligently, then are
we without excuse. Like gold in the crucible we are to be tried and proved,
but the dross shall be cast out.
"But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and
unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I the
Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance and
redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son.
"And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation
that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal
life, even as many as would believe;
"And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be
redeemed from their spiritual fall, because thy repent not." D.C. 29:42-44.
We are not left, as the cartoonist declares, to grope in confusion
without any information of what went before, or what shall come after. The
knowledge we have of what went before and what shall come hereafter will, in
part, provide the themes of future lessons.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end.. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of
life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and
he shall be my son. Rev. 21:6-7.
There were once two brothers who were blesses by having noble parents.
These sons were taught in principles of righteousness and the father had
promised them that they should possess the fullness of his estate. But the
younger was impatient and said to his father: "Father, give me the portion of
goods that falleth to me." So, the father divided unto his sons living. A few
days later the younger son gathered together his goods and took his journey
into a far country, and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
While his means lasted he found what he thought to be friends who helped him
spend his money. When all of it was gone, of course his friends departed also.
Then there arose a mighty famine in the land and the foolish boy was in dire
want, but found employment only in feeding swine. "And he would fain have
filled his belly with husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."
When he had suffered severely and long, having had time to contrast his
condition with that in his father's house, where the servants had bread enough
to spare, he said: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."
So he returned, and his father saw him a great way off, and ran to meet
him in the spirit of gladness because the boy had returned. And the boy said:
"Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son." But the father wept and called to the servants to bring
clothing to cover the profligate boy who had repented of his sins. Then the
merciful father prepared a feast and invited all the members of his house and
friends to join with him in making merry, for, said the father, "This my son
was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
While they were making merry the older son remained in the field feeling
that he had been injured and dealt with unjustly. No doubt this elder brother
thought his father would divide his substance with the younger son again.
Seeing that he would not come into the house, the father went out into the
field and entreated him. But the son answered: "Lo, these many years do I
serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandments; and yet thou
never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as
this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf." But the wise and just father answered him:
"Son, thou are ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we
should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive
again' and was lost and is found." Luke 15:11-32.
So we learn that there is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who
repents; but those who are faithful and transgress not any of the
commandments, shall inherit "all that the Father hath," while those who might
be sons, but thought their "riotous living" waste their inheritance, may come
back through their repentance to salvation to be servants, not to inherit
exaltation as sons.
The wonderful story of the prodigal son has been misinterpreted almost
universally. How frequently is the statement made from sectarian pulpits that
because this younger son transgressed and committed all manner of sin and then
repented, he was better off than his older brother who did not sin. By many
the real lesson in this parable is lost. The younger son asked for his
inheritance and received it. He went out and spent it in the vilest
wickedness. When his substance was gone, he was forced by physical suffering
and degradation to repent. Had his substance held out longer, he would have
sinned that much more. It is needless to repeat all the circumstances of this
story. It is sufficient to say that when he returned his father received him,
but did not promise to reinstate him in the fullness of the inheritance; this
is apparent in the answer made to the obedient son: "Son, thou art ever with
me, and all that I have is thine."
Some men inherit wealth through the industry of their fathers. Some men
are through inheritance raised to worldly thrones, to power, and position,
among their fellow men. Some seek for the inheritance of worldly knowledge and
renown through the application of their own industry and perseverance; but
there is one inheritance which is worth more than all, it is the inheritance
of eternal exaltation.
The Scripture say that eternal life which is the life possessed by our
Eternal Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift of God. Only
those shall receive it who are cleansed from all sin. It is promised to those
"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. They are they who
are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has
given all things." D.C. 76:52-55.
These become priests and kings, sons of God, and "all things are theirs,
whether life or death, of things present, or things to come, all are theirs
and they are Christ's and Christ is God's, and they shall overcome all
things." Ibid v.59.
Paul wrote to the Roman Saints:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear:
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba
Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit, that we are
the children of God.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified
together. Rom. 7:14-17.
It is quite evident, then, that these glorious blessings of eternal
inheritance, by which we become sons of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ,
possessing "all that the father hath," do not come except through willingness
to keep the commandments and even to suffer with Christ if need be. In other
words, candidates for eternal life the greatest gift of God are expected
to place all that they have on the alter, should it be required, for even
then, and should they be required to lay down their lives for his cause, they
could never pay him for the abundant blessings which are received and promised
based on obedience to his laws and commandments.
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 we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice
bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father
That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were
created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
D.C. 76:22-24
Lord Kelvin Sir William Thompson the eminent English mathematician
and physicist, has said: "We all confidently believe that there are at
present, and have been from time immemorial many worlds of life besides our
own." It seems impossible that this truth should ever be questioned when one
looks out into the innumerable suns, which we call stars, sending forth their
rays of light into distant space. In contemplating the vastness of the
universe and the millions of stars which are now known and charted, the
thought naturally arises in the minds of most of us that all this is indeed
the handiwork of God, and that it has been created for his own purpose. How
can man, beholding the glories of the heavens conclude that there is no
directing had, no Supreme Authority, controlling and governing? Moreover, how
can he believe that all of this vast and orderly multitude of worlds has been
created without some definite design? Well has the Psalmist said:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
his handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth
knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not
heard. Psalms 19:1-3.
Surely there is no place on the earth where the evidence of the glory and
greatness of the Supreme and Eternal Father is not made known to the
inhabitants through the orderly and magnificent heavens.
These vast worlds, many of which are many thousands of times greater in
circumference than our sun, were surely not created merely to show forth to
the inhabitants of this world the glory of God, but each, we are confidently
led to believe, is itself the center and governing body of numerous worlds
with their teeming life. Alexander Pope, in his Essay on Man, has declared the
truth in this poetic language:
He, who through vast immensity can pierce,
See worlds on worlds compose on universe,
Observe how system into system runs,
What other planets circle other suns,
What varied beings people every star,
May tell why Heaven has made us as we are.
When Pope wrote his lines he did not know that there have been among
mortal men some who have pierced through the vast immensity of space to see
"worlds on worlds" and learn of their inhabitants. Thanks to the mercies of
the Lord, such has been the case. When feeble man begins to make deductions
concerning the universe and its inhabitants, based solely upon the experiences
to which our mortal life is subject, he is sure to make mistakes. The whale in
the midst of the ocean, if it could reason, might be heard to say that no life
could exist outside of the liquid deep. The desert lizard might be heard to
say that no creature could live except in the burning sands. Should we
conclude that all creatures in the vast universe are subject to our mundane
laws, we would be just as foolish as the whale or the lizard.
The Lord showed Abraham the great heavenly bodies. He saw them in their
majesty revolving through space in perfect order. Some were set to govern;
others to obey; but there was a relationship between them. He was taught by
the Divine Teacher to comprehend their times and their seasons and the purpose
of their creation.
At a later time the Lord gave Moses similar instructions and said to him:
And worlds without number have I created; and I also created
them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is
mine Only Begotten. * * *
* * The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered
unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.
And as one earth shall pass away (i.e. to its destined glory),
so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to
my words.
For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:33, 37-39.
The inference is, in this scripture, that the Lord created these
innumerable worlds for the purpose of placing on them his children where they
might obtain, eventually, immortality and eternal life, this being his great
work and glory. This being true, then it is a mistake for man to say there is
only an infinitesimal fraction of the universe that is suited for the abode of
man. Neither is it true that life is but a by-product of the universe as some
learned men have said. We learn conclusively from the passage in Section 76,
previously quoted, that the inhabitants of these innumerable worlds are
begotten sons and daughters unto God.
This much we know of the inhabitants of the universe but the Lord in his
wisdom has limited our knowledge largely to our own little speck of a planet.
"But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto
you," said the Lord to Moses. The knowledge of this earth and its inhabitants
is not confined to the present mortal existence. The Lord informed these
ancient prophets that there were many intelligences (spirits of men) and that
they were organized before the world in which we now live was formed. Among
these intelligences "there were many of the noble and great ones." Moreover,
as there is to be found among the many "worlds without number" perfect
obedience and order, each performing its mission according to law, so also
among these spirit intelligences order and obedience prevailed. In the
pre-mortal world we were taught in all things pertaining to life that could be
given us in the pre-existence. Men were organized in some such way as we are
organized here in the kingdom of God. Among the spirits of men there were
superior intelligences chosen to act in authority. Free agency was given unto
man that he might act for himself, yet we walked by sight in the presence of
our Eternal Father. By him, and by his Son Jesus Christ, we were taught and
knowledge was given us.
In that former state the great plan of salvation was presented, and we
longingly waited for the time to come when we could pass on to mortality,
knowing that in no other way could perfection come. To seek the way of
perfection, however, brought with it attendant dangers. In the pre-mortal
life, it was made known, man would be tried and proved while upon earth. He
would be placed in the midst of both righteousness and sin. Temptation with
all its cunning devices would confront him. Many would yield to the enticings
of the enemy of truth and thus fall short of the perfect life, but those who
kept this second estate should be blessed with the glory of eternal life, and
find the way to perfection.
And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things
whatsoever the Lord their God shall command then. Abraham 3:25.
That we had a pre-existence and dwelt in the presence of our Eternal
Father and his Son Jesus Christ is revealed to us in the Scriptures. This
doctrine is to be found in the Bible, but, in the present mutilated form in
which this doctrine comes to us through that volume, it is difficult for those
who have not been enlightened by other revelation to comprehend it. Members of
the Church are fortunate in this regard, for the Lord has made the principle
of pre-existence very clear in the revelations which have come through the
ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is a reasonable doctrine, as all
principles of the Gospel are. It certainly should appeal to all men as being
true; yet there are very few in the world who accept it. Many believe that the
spirit is created at or about the time of birth into the world. The doctrine
of the existence of an eternal spirit inhabiting the mortal tabernacle is
quite generally believed, and also that the spirit continues to live after the
death of the body. It is strange because of this generally accepted doctrine
that so few believe that man existed before this world was framed.
The poet Wordsworth obtained an inspirational glimpse of this eternal
doctrine when he wrote the following:
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The soul that rises with us, our life's star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God who is our home.
Ode on the Intimations of Immortality.
As the poet says, there may be times when flashes of remembrance of these
former days come to us, but the Lord, for some good reason, has taken from us
the memory of that spirit world. In the presence of the Father we walked by
sight. We relied upon him and accepted his counsels and rejoiced in his
presence and in the presence of his Beloved Son. "And now, verily I say unto
you," our Redeemer says, "I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the
Firstborn; and all those who are begotten (i.e. who accept the Gospel) through
me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the
Firstborn. Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is
Spirit, even the Spirit of truth. * * * Every spirit of man was innocent in
the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in
their infant state, innocent before God." D.C. 93:21-23, 38.
From this revelation we discover that in the beginning the spirits of all
men were innocent. What a happy condition that must have been! But it was not
to continue forever. In fact, we could not enjoy full happiness, or joy,
because our spirits had not received their tabernacles of flesh by which it is
possible for them to become perfect. The Lord says: "For man is spirit. The
elements are eternal and spirit and element (or body), inseparably connected,
receive a fullness of joy; and when separated, man cannot receive a fullness
of joy." (Ibid. v. 33-34.) So it was impossible for the pre-existing spirits
to receive a fullness of joy. It is equally impossible for us in this mortal
life to receive a fullness of joy, because the spirit and the body are not
inseparably connected.
Therefore, there had to come a change. Preparations were made by which we
could pass through this mortal probation, receiving tabernacles of flesh that
we might go on to perfection. To bring about this change and to give to us the
additional blessings, it was necessary that we also come in contact with pain,
temptation and sin. In the world of spirits we could not suffer physical pain
and understand the various conditions which are peculiar to mortal life. That
we might have the knowledge of these things we had to experience them. The
Father, therefore, through his Son, made known to us the plan of salvation.
The full purpose of existence was explained to us in a grand council held in
the heavens. We were informed that when we came to this present world we would
have to suffer the ills of mortality. Among these ills we would be tried and
tempted and only those who were willing to abide in the covenants of the Lord
which would be given us here should have the privilege of returning
again to his presence. We were told that many would fail because they would
yield to sin and would reject the counsels of the Father, for their exaltation
could only come on merit. Agency should be given us, and therefore each
individual should have the privilege of choosing for himself whether he would
keep the commandments of the Lord or whether he would rebel and follow sin.
However, all should be rewarded according to their works and should be graded
accordingly.
We are informed that in this grand council, when this plan was presented,
we rejoiced, "and all the sons of God shouted for joy." (Job 38:7.) The
Savior, in presenting the plan, said "unto those who were with him: We will go
down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we
will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith,
to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command
them; and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who
keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with
those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall
have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." Abraham 3:24-26.
So the plan was presented, but, sad to say, it was not approved by all
the spirits. Lucifer, son of the morning who held a position of great trust
and responsibility, refused to accept the plan. Isaiah says of him: "How art
thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down
to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine
heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of
God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the
north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the Most
High." Isa. 14: 1 2-14.
The Lord gave to Moses a more detailed account of this rebellion. When it
was made known that man would fall and therefore a Redeemer would be required,
and some of the spirits would be lost from the kingdom of God, the question of
appointing such a Redeemer was considered. And the Lord said to Moses:
That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only
Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came
before me, saying Behold, here I am, send me, I will be thy son,
and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost and
surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought
to destroy the agency of man, which I the Lord God, had given him,
and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power
of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
This same Lucifer who caused one-third of the hosts of heaven to follow
him, and he became Perdition, and those who followed him are called sons of
Perdition because they are in rebellion against the Father and are denied the
privilege of receiving bodies because they kept not their first estate. Jude
has written of them:
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under
darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. v. 6.
In the meantime their mission is here on this earth, to tempt and try
mankind, and in the bitterness of their wickedness they endeavor to destroy
the work of the Lord and lead the souls of men down to destruction and misery
with themselves. But their day is short. Soon Satan shall be bound that he
shall not have the power to tempt any man. (D.C. 101:28.) But the righteous
shall dwell in the presence of the Lamb and be partakers of the fullness of
his glory.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and
counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it,
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish
it, all that behold it begin to mock him. Luke 14:28-29.
A strange notion seems to prevail in much of the so-called Christian
world, that the plans of the Father were frustrated by Satan in the temptation
of Adam which brought to pass the fall of man. Ministers have written and
spoken a great deal about the awful sin of the fall, and how this world would
have continued on, peopled with myriads of inhabitants living in continual
peace and happiness, if Adam had not transgressed.
A belief of this kind seems very strange to all members of the Church,
for the Scriptures declare that the Father knew the end from the beginning:
Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is
none else: I am God, and there is none like me.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times
the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all my pleasure. Isaiah 46:9-10.
Not only was this earth planned as an architect plans his building but
its entire destiny and the destiny of its inhabitants was considered and known
to the great Architect, before its foundation stones were laid. Our Eternal
Father was not experimenting when this world came into existence. It did not
come by chance. It is not the first of his creations. Millions upon millions
of worlds such as this had rolled into existence before our earth was born.
Every step taken was according to the divine plan, and that plan was an
eternal one, which had been followed in the construction of other worlds
without number unto man. In other worlds the plan of salvation had been given.
Here we are enacting familiar scenes; scenes which are new to all mortal men,
but which are well known to the Father and also to the Son. See Moses 1:33,
37-38.
It was according to the plan that this earth should obey the law of a
celestial kingdom, that it should become eventually, after filling the measure
of its creation, the abode of celestial beings. It has been true to its law
and the Lord has said:
And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth
all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek
of the earth shall inherit it.
Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all
unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall
be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it
forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and
for this intent are they sanctified. D.C. 88:17-20.
The plan of salvation is an eternal one. Its principles do not change.
Progression is made in harmony with them, not in opposition to them. They were
prepared by an experienced Builder, who has reached the stage of perfection.
The Savior said to Joseph Smith:
Thus saith the Lord your God, even jesus Christ, the Great I
AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which
looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts
of heaven, before the world was made;
The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present
before mine eyes;
I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all
things came by me. D.C. 38:1-3.
The Lord made provision whereby all men should have the opportunity of
hearing the Gospel, because he knew the end from the beginning. Moreover, he
knew that many would pass away from this life without hearing the Gospel and
provision had to be made for them by which they should hear it. If men from
the beginning had been willing to hearken to the instructions and commandments
which came to them from the Lord, then there would have been little need for
carrying this Gospel message into the spirit world among those who have
departed this mortal life, for practically all would have received it here.
Under such conditions false doctrines and man-made churches could not have
been established. Men would have been trained in the light of truth instead of
in the traditions of men and the wisdom of the world.
It was the desire of the Father and his Son that this should have been
the case, but they knew that this condition could not be expected. They knew
that coming in contact with temptation and sin and being enticed by the enemy
of all righteousness many men would fail and turn away from the commandments
of the Lord. Jesus Christ is called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world. Adam taught his children the principles of the Gospel and to believe in
the redemption which should come through the atonement of Jesus Christ. He did
his best to lead them in paths of righteousness, but, the scripture says,
Satan came among them and said, "I am also a son of God, and he commanded
them, saying: Believe it not, and they believed it not, and they loved Satan
more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and
devilish."
Under these conditions generation upon generation came into the world
without a knowledge of the Gospel. Children were caused to suffer for the sins
of their fathers. It may be true that most of them would have followed in the
footsteps of their fathers and would have rejected the plan of salvation had
it been offered them. Those who did hear it, did reject it, with, few
exceptions. Nevertheless all who died without hearing it are entitled to have
that privilege, notwithstanding the fact that death passed sentence upon them
and consigned them to the prison house. Should they remain there forever
without relief? No, our Eternal Father had prepared the means for their
escape, and that, too, before the laying of the foundations of this world.
Since it has been declared that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven
before the foundations of the world, upon which all blessings are predicated,
and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon
which it is predicated," we must, therefore, submit our judgment to this
divine mandate. Acceptance of the ordinances of the Gospel being essential to
exaltation, all men who seek a place in the kingdom of God must of necessity
comply with that law. We cannot make an exception in behalf of the dead who
died without the opportunity of obeying the Gospel, but who were competent to
understand it. They, as well as the living, must comply with the law. For that
reason the Lord has made known to us that in this great Dispensation of the
Fullness of Times he would make known the course which should be taken to
bring about their redemption.
There are ordinances pertaining to the salvation of men which the world cannot
receive. The Lord has forbidden us to proclaim them for they are held in
reserve for the faithful. Yet these ordinances and covenants were known and
prepared before the foundation of the earth. The Lord has said: "For I deign
to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the
foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the
fullness of times." (D.C. 124:41; cf. 128:18.) Moreover, in teaching the
Prophet in relation to the ordinances for the salvation of the dead, the Lord
also said:
You may think this order of things to be very particular but
let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God by
conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained
and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation
of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the Gospel.
D.C. 128:5.
Again it is recorded:
* * * For out of the books shall your dead be judged, according
to their works, whether they themselves have attended to the
ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their
own agents, according to the ordinance which God prepared for their
salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the
records which they have kept concerning their dead. v. 8.
Moreover, the Lord has said that he will reveal to us, in addition to
covenants kept hid from the world from the beginning, but revealed to the
saints in days of old, things "which never have been revealed from the
foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent."
When the Latter-day Saints are willing to keep the commandments of the Lord
perfectly and walk in his statutes with full purpose of heart, then these
things are to be revealed, not only to the mature but also unto "babes and
sucklings."
And when the end shall come, and the Lord makes known to us "all things,"
"things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath,
things that are in the earth, and upon the earth and in heaven," then shall we
discover that our Father knew the end from the beginning, and his plan is a
perfect plan of salvation for every creature, both man and beast, and for the
earth upon which we dwell.
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or
his parents, that he was born blind? John 9:1-2.
We have learned through the word of the Lord to Abraham that spirits in
the pre-existence were graded. That is, some were more intelligent than
others, some more faithful, while some actually rebelled and lost their
standing and the privilege of receiving the second estate. This is the word of
the Lord:
If there be two spirits, and one shall be more intelligent than
the other, yet these two spirits, notwithstanding one is more
intelligent than the other, have no beginning; they existed before,
they shall have no end, they shall exist after, for they are
gnolaum, or eternal. And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do
exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than
the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am
the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all. Abraham
3:18-19.
It is also made known that one third of the hosts of heaven rebelled and
followed Lucifer. "* * * for behold, the devil was before Adam, for he
rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also
a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their
agency; and they were thrust down and thus came the devil and his angels."
D.C. 29:36-37.
Among those who fell there must have been some superior intelligences.
Lucifer, himself, was of this kind, and it was because of this that he was
able to influence so many of his fellow spirits. How many were almost
persuaded, were indifferent, and who sympathized with Lucifer, but did not
follow him, we do not know. The scriptures are silent on this point. It is a
reasonable conclusion however, that there were many who did not stand
valiantly with Michael in the great battle for the protection of the free
agency and the plan for the merited exaltation of mankind, although they may
not have openly rebelled. We may justify ourselves in this conclusion by
several passages of scripture which seem to have a bearing on this thought.
Man had his agency and because of it one-third of the hosts rebelled. We
naturally conclude that others among the two-thirds did not show the loyalty
to their Redeemer that they should. Their sin was not one that merited the
extreme punishment which was inflicted on the devil and his angels. They were
not denied the privilege of receiving the second estate, but were permitted to
come to the earth-life with some restrictions placed upon them. That the Negro
race, for instance, have been placed under restrictions because of their
attitude in the world of spirits, few will doubt. It cannot be looked upon as
just that they should be deprived of the power of the Priesthood without it
being a punishment for some act, or acts, performed before they were born.
Yet, like all other spirits who come into this world they come innocent before
God so far as mortal existence is concerned, and here, under certain
restrictions, they may work out their second estate. If they prove faithful in
this estate, without doubt, our Eternal Father, who is just and true, will
reward them accordingly and there will be in store for them some blessings of
exaltation.
This doctrine that man could, and did in many instances, sin before he
was born, was well understood in ancient times. We have the instance of the
question put to the Savior regarding the man born blind. If this question had
been an improper one, and the doctrine false, the Savior would have corrected
it by saying, "Ye do err, for no man could sin before he was born." This the
Lord did not do, but by implication seemed to confirm the doctrine in his
answer: "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of
God should be made manifest in him."
We have no scriptural justification, however, for the belief that we had
the privilege of choosing our parents and our life companions in the spirit
world. This belief has been advocated by some, and it is possible that in some
instances it is true, but it would require too great a stretch of the
imagination to believe it to be so in all, or even in the majority of cases.
Most likely we came where those in authority decided to send us. Our agency
may not have been exercised to the extent of making choice of parents and
posterity.
An interesting phase of this question is discussed by Elder Orson F.
Whitney. I quote his words:
Why are we drawn towards certain persons, and they to us, as if
we had always known each other? Is it a fact that we always have? Is
there something, after all, in that much abused term "affinity" and
is this the basis of its claim? At all events, it is just as logical
to look back upon fond associations, as it is to look forward to
them. We believe that ties formed in this life, will be continued in
the life to come; then why not believe that we had similar ties
before we came into the world, and that some of them at least, have
been resumed in this state of existence?
After meeting someone whom I had never met before on earth, I
have wondered why that person's face seemed so familiar. More than
once, upon hearing a noble sentiment expressed, though unable to
recall that I had ever heard it until then, I have found myself in
sympathy with it, was thrilled by it, and felt as if I had always
known it. The same is true of some strains of music; they are like
echoes of eternity. I do not assert pre-acquaintance in all such
cases, but as one thought suggests another these queries arise in
the mind.
When it comes to the Gospel, I feel more positive. Why did the
Savior say: "My sheep know my voice?" Did a sheep ever know the
voice of its shepherd if it had never heard that voice before? They
who love the Truth, and to whom it most strongly appeals were
they not acquainted with it in a previous life? I think so. I
believe we knew the Gospel before we came here, and that is what
gives to it a familiar sound.
President Joseph F. Smith said to Elder Whitney:
I heartily endorse your sentiments respecting congeniality of
spirits. Our knowledge of persons and things before we came here,
combined with the divinity awakened within our souls through
obedience to the Gospel powerfully affects, in my opinion, all our
likes and dislikes, and guides our preferences in the course of this
life, provided we give careful heed to the admonition of the Spirit.
All those salient truths which come so forcibly to the head and
heart seem but the awakening of the memories of the spirit. Can we
know anything here that we did not know before we came? Are not the
means of knowledge in the first estate equal to those of this? I
think that the spirit, before and after this probation, possesses
greater facilities, aye, manifold greater, for the acquisition of
knowledge, than while manacled and shut up in the prison house of
mortality. I believe that our Savior possessed a foreknowledge of
all the vicissitudes through which He would have to pass in the
mortal tabernacle.
If Christ knew beforehand, so did we. But in coming here, we
forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or
evil, that we might merit the reward of our own choice and conduct.
But by the power of the Spirit, in the redemption of Christ, through
obedience, we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the
immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of
our former home. Era 23:101 and; Gos. Doc. 15-16.
Our place among the tribes and nations evidently was assigned to us by
the Lord. That there was an assignment of this kind before earth-life began,
is a declaration in the Scriptures. Certain spirits were chosen to come
through the lineage of Abraham, and this choice was made in the beginning.
Other selections were also made and the nations determined upon by the
councils in the heavens. When Paul was speaking on Mars' Hill he said to the
Athenians:
Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar
with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he
is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with
hands:
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed
anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on
all the face of the earth; and hath determined the times before
appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. Acts 17:22-26.
If the Lord appointed unto the nations the bounds of their habitations,
then there must have been a selection of spirits to form these nations. In
greater clearness Moses has declared the same thing:
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many
generations; ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and
they will tell thee.
When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance,
when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people
according to the number of the children of Israel.
For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his
inheritance. Deut. 32:7-9.
If bounds were set according to the number of the children of Israel, and
they were the Lord's portion (i.e., those with whom he made, covenant), when
the Lord divided the sons of Adam, it must have been done before this
earth-life began. For in these days of old when this division was made, the
nation of Israel had not been brought into existence on the earth.
Is it not a reasonable belief, that the Lord would select the choice
spirits to come through the better grades of nations? Moreover, is it not
reasonable to believe that less worthy spirits would come through less favored
lineage? Does this not account, in very large part, for the various grades of
color and degrees of intelligence we find in the earth? Is not the Lord doing
the best that can be done in accordance with the laws of justice and mercy for
the people of the earth? For in his mercy he has a salvation, with some degree
of exaltation, even for the heathen and for those who die without law.
However, we must not be unmindful of the fact, that these world conditions
have also been brought about in large degree by rebellion and disregard of the
laws of God in this life. Retrogression has come upon mankind because they
have rejected the counsels and commandments of the Almighty. Advancement has
come largely because men have been willing to walk, in part at least, in the
light of divine inspiration. Moreover, notwithstanding the fact that the Lord
chose a certain nation as his "portion" and that Jacob became the "lot of his
inheritance," the Almighty also was kind to other nations and leavened them by
scattering the blood of Israel among them. In this and other ways the nations
became blessed as the seed of Abraham.
And this is the manner after which they were ordained being called and
prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of
God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; * * * and thus they
have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith. Alma
13:3-4.
President Joseph F. Smith once said: "Things upon the earth, so far as
they have not been perverted by wickedness, are typical of things in heaven.
Heaven was the prototype of this beautiful creation when it came from the hand
of the Creator, and was pronounced 'good.'" Such information as the Lord has
been pleased to give us confirms this view. We see around us various grades of
intelligences. No two persons are alike. Our talents are varied. One person
excels in music, another in painting or mathematics, another in mechanics or
statesmanship. It is a common thing to hear someone say of a friend, "He is a
natural-born musician," or "He is a born horticulturist." "Nothing that I
plant will grow," said one of my acquaintances, "but everything my neighbor
puts in the ground grows to perfection." A talented artist would scarcely make
a successful farmer, and a man who loves the soil would perhaps be a failure
as an artist. The Lord said: "For all have not every gift given unto them; for
there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God."
D.C. 46:11.
In the parable of the talents the Lord makes use of this very significant
expression: "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And
unto one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one; to every man
according to his several ability." Without doubt, these characteristics were
born with us. In other words, we developed certain traits of character in the
world of spirits before this earth-life began. In that life some were more
diligent in the performance of duty. Some were more obedient and faithful in
keeping the commandments. Some were more intellectual, and others manifested
stronger traits of leadership than others. Some showed greater faith and
willingness to serve the Lord, and from among these the leaders were chosen.
Because of this condition the Lord said to Abraham:
These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were
spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me:
Abraham, thou art one of them. Thou wast chosen before thou wast
born. Abraham 3:23.
There must be leaders, presiding officers, and those who are worthy and
able to take command. During the ages in which we dwelt in the pre-mortal
state we not only developed our various characteristics and showed our
worthiness and ability, or the lack of it, but we were also where such
progress could be observed. It is reasonable to believe that there was a
Church organization there. The heavenly beings were living in a perfectly
arranged society. Every person knew his place. Priesthood, without any
question, had been conferred and the leaders were chosen to officiate.
Ordinances pertaining to that pre-existence were required and the love of God
prevailed. Under such conditions it was natural for our Father to discern and
choose those who were most worthy and evaluate the talents of each individual.
He knew not only what each of us could do, but also what each of us would do
when put to the test and when responsibility was given us. Then, when the time
came for our habitation on mortal earth, all things were prepared and the
servants of the Lord chosen and ordained to their, respective missions.
Paul said to the Ephesian Saints:
Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in
love. Eph. 1:3-4.
It was because the Father understood these characteristics, and the
abilities of the spirits before him, that he was able to choose his rulers as
"he stood in the midst of them" before the earth was born. Not only was Christ
chosen as the Lamb to be slain, but Adam was chosen to stand at the head and
was called "Michael, the prince" and was given the keys of salvation "under
the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days
and end of life."
Elder Orson F. Whitney, in his epic poem, Elias, has very beautifully
depicted the choosing of our Redeemer and the call of Adam, in these thrilling
words:
A stature mingling strength with grace
Of meek though Godlike mien,
The glory of whose countenance
Outshone the noonday sheen.
Whiter his hair than ocean spray,
Or frost of alpine hill.
He spake: attention grew more grave,
The stillness e'en more still.
"Father!" the voice like music fell,
Clear as the murmuring flow
Of mountain streamlet trickling down
From heights of virgin snow.
"Father," it said, "since one must die,
Thy children to redeem,
Whilst earth, as yet unformed and void,
With pulsing life shall teem;
And mighty Michael foremost fall,
That mortal man may be,
And chosen Savior Thou must send,
Lo, here am I send me!
I ask, I seek no recompense,
Save that which then were mine;
Mine be the willing sacrifice,
The endless glory Thine."
We read in the scriptures that Isaiah, Jeremiah and others, were called before
they were born to be prophets to Israel and to the nations. This is also true
of all the prophets from Adam to the present day. The mission of Joseph Smith
was made known to Joseph, son of Jacob, as he dwelt in Egypt hundreds of years
before the birth of Israel as a nation. Not only was Joseph Smith's work
declared, but also he was named, and his father before him, by this faithful
son of Jacob, who, through his integrity, had the blessing of birthright in
Israel placed upon him through all the ages.
The Lord placed implicit confidence in Job and knew that Job would not
forsake him. How did he know this? Not merely through the characteristics
shown by Job in this world, but through the countless years of association in
the pre-existent state where this ancient worthy proved his patience in the
presence of the Lord.
What a wonderful compliment is paid to Abraham:
For I know him, that he will command his children and his
household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do
justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that
which he hath spoken of him. Gen. 18:19.
This could be said of Abraham because he was known as "faithful" as he
stood in the midst of the intelligences before the world was, for it was there
that he was chosen as one of the great ones to be a ruler on the earth.
When we send forth missionaries into the world they are ordained and set
apart for that labor. Some go forth with our full confidence. We know that
they will not fail for their integrity is known. Others who go forth with the
same setting apart may not with equal power share our confidence. So it is
with the spirits which come to earth. All are ordained, or set apart, to their
mortal missions. Not all of them are called to be prophets to the nations.
Cyrus was called, and named by Isaiah, more than one hundred years before he
was born. The Lord called him his "servant" because he had a work for him to
do, but it was not in the Priesthood, but as a worldly ruler, to further the
purposes of the Lord. How much better it is to be called with a higher calling
in the kingdom of God!
But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and unto
his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I, the Lord
God, should send forth angels to declare to them repentance and redemption,
through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son. D.C. 29:42.
Contrary to the generally accepted belief, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was
first proclaimed to Adam. It is quite generally believed that the Gospel was
first introduced by our Lord while in his ministry in Palestine, and that it
came to replace some other system which had been in vogue from the days of
Adam until the coming of Jesus Christ. When the Savior came into the world, he
did not present a new plan for the salvation of mankind, but he came to
restore that which had been taken away because of apostasy and the hardness of
heart of the people of former times. We have already learned that the plan of
salvation, based upon the fall of man and the atonement of Jesus Christ, was
proclaimed among the spirits in the ante-mortal state. When the plan of
salvation was introduced in the grand council "the morning stars sang
together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." After Adam had been driven
out of the Garden of Eden and was shut out of the presence of the Lord, angels
were sent to him to reveal the plan of redemption. Unfortunately our Bible, as
we have it today, is very deficient in the statement of this fact. Happily the
account as it was originally written by Moses has been revealed to us in the
Pearl of Great Price. The Lord said to Moses:
And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as
naught and take many of them from the book which thou shalt write,
behold, I will raise up another like unto thee, and they shall be
had again among the children of men among as many as shall
believe. Moses 1:41.
So we have had given unto us the knowledge that the Lord taught the
Gospel to Adam and to the prophets who followed him. How long Adam had to wait
after he was driven out of the Garden of Eden before the Lord made known to
him the plan of salvation, we do not know. The time perhaps was short, for
Adam sought the Lord, as did his wife, Eve, "and they heard the voice of the
Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw
him not; for they were shut out from his presence." In this way the Lord gave
them commandments that they should worship him and offer sacrifice of the
firstlings of their flocks. This continued for "many days" and Adam proved
himself obedient to the commandments he had received from the Lord. And after
many days the Lord sent an angel unto Adam who gave him further light, and he
was told of the mission of Jesus Christ in whose name he was commanded to do
all things and to call upon the Father in the name of the Son forevermore.
The following interesting account of the introduction of the Gospel in
that early day is from the Pearl of Great Price:
And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice saying: I
am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh.
And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and
hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent, of all thy
transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine
Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus
Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven whereby
salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and
whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.
And our father Adam spake unto the Lord and said: Why is it
that men must repent and be baptized in water: and the Lord said
unto Adam: Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the
Garden of Eden.
Hence came the saying abroad among the people, That the Son of
God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents
cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are
whole from the foundation of the world. * * *
Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men,
everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom
of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his
presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name,
and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus
Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.
Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things
freely unto your children. Moses 6:51-4, 57-58.
The record further says:
And thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning,
being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God,
and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.
And thus all things were confirmed unto Adam, by an holy
ordinance, and the Gospel preached, and a decree sent forth, that it
should be in the world until the end thereof; and thus it was. Amen.
Moses 5:58-59.
This story is consistent with reason. We know that the Father is
"infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable
God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them." To
hold forth one plan for the salvation of men at one period of the history of
the world and then to institute another different in most essentials, at
another period, is not in harmony with the idea of a Supreme Being who is the
same from "eternity to eternity," and whose "years never fail."
We learn from the Book of Mormon as well as the Doctrine and Covenants,
that the Lord in his wisdom prolonged the days of Adam and his posterity, even
to the end of time, that they might repent, while in the flesh; "wherefore
their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened,
according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of
men" so that they might comply with the principles of the Gospel and obtain
favor in the eyes of the Lord and prepare themselves to come back through the
atonement of Jesus Christ into the presence of God.
In this manner was the everlasting Gospel proclaimed to Adam, and "Adam
and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their
sons and their daughters."
Priesthood Revealed
Not only was the plan of salvation made known to Adam, and to Enoch and
Noah, before the flood, but they also received the Priesthood. Of course this
was essential for without the Priesthood there could have been no ordinances
performed. No one would have had power and authority to baptize for the
remission of sins and there could have been no good purpose in the declaration
of the principles of the Gospel. The Prophet Joseph Smith has said: "The
Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held
the keys of it from generation to generation. * * * The Priesthood is an
everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to
eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be
brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from
heaven, it is by Adam's authority." Of course we understand that it is by
Adam's authority as he acts "under the counsel and direction" of Jesus Christ.
D.C. 78:16.
Another important fact in connection with the introduction of the Gospel
is that by commandment through the Holy Ghost, a genealogy was kept of the
children of God, "And this was the book of the generations of Adam," which was
kept in a "language which was pure and undefiled." Moses 6:6, 8.
In consideration of any question where a conflict appears to exist
between the revelation of the Lord and the teachings of the scientific world,
it is well to remember the key the Lord has given us which is always a safe
guide to follow. This key is couched in the following language: "If any man
will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself."
There is no conflict between a scientifically discovered truth and the
revealed word of the Lord, for truth everywhere harmonizes with truth. Or, as
it is expressed in the Doctrine and Covenants: "Intelligence cleaveth unto
intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth
virtue; light cleaveth unto light," and we will ever find it so.
There may, however, be a vast difference between the revelations of the
Lord through his prophets, and the theories of men. There may also be a
difference between the teachings of science and the scriptural interpretation
of men, but when the language is clear and there can be no misunderstanding of
the meaning, we may with perfect safety rely upon the revelations of the Lord
with the assurance that whatever comes in conflict with them will in due time
cease to exist. There are many theories advanced in the scientific world, some
of which may in time be proved true; others will be proved false, and then
must be discarded. We should remember that theories are, as it has often been
said, merely the scaffolding to the scientific structure. Let us not,
therefore, be carried away by the theories of men even though they may appear
to be very plausible, when they seem to contradict the word of the Lord. It is
the right of every member of the Church to know for himself the truth, and
this may be obtained in the way the Lord has designated and through the spirit
of humility and prayer. So much, then, preliminary to the question which
follows.
The science of linguistics is very young. It was not until quite recently
that man turned his attention to this study in a scientific way hoping to
discover the sources of speech. Such study, of course, has been based largely
upon speculative imagination. There has been discovered in this research a
great abyss, exceedingly deep, and while the cables of research have been
lowered into the darkness and obscurity, nothing definite and lasting has been
returned.
What are the scientific theories, on the origin of language? There have
been quite a number some complicated, some more simple dealing with the
various parts of speech, the early use of vowels and consonants, the
peculiarities of expression, the different sounds according to the formation
of the mouth, the use of muscles of tongue and throat as these have been
developed in the distant past. Some of these theories presented by Professor
Otto Jespersen, of the University of Copenhagen in his interesting work on
"LANGUAGE, Its Nature, Development and Origin," are here briefly presented:
One theory is that primitive words were imitative of sounds;
man copied the barking of dogs and thereby obtained a natural word
with the meaning of "dog" or "bark." To this theory, nicknamed the
Bow-wow theory, Renan objects that it seems rather absurd to set up
this chronological sequence: first, the lower animals are original
enough to cry and roar; then comes man, making a language for
himself by imitating his inferiors.
Max Muller, commenting on this theory has said it "goes very smoothly as
long as it deals with cackling hens and quacking ducks; but around the
poultry-yard there is a high wall, and we soon find that it is behind that
wall that language really begins."
Another theory is the interjectional, nicknamed the Pooh-pooh
theory: Language is derived from instinctive ejaculations called
forth by pain or other intense sensations of feeling. The adherents
of this theory generally take these interjections for granted,
without asking about the way in which they come into existence. * *
*
Between interjection and word there is a chasm wide enough to
allow us to say that the interjection is the negation of language,
for interjections are employed only when one either cannot or will
not speak. (Benfey Gesch, 295.) This "chasm" is also shown
phonetically by the fact that the most spontaneous interjections
often contain sounds which are not used in language proper,
voiceless vowels, inspiratory sounds, clicks, etc., whence the
impossibility properly to represent them by means of our ordinary
alphabet: the spellings pooh, pish, whew, tut, are very poor
renderings indeed of the natural sounds. * * *
A closely related theory is the nativistic, nicknamed the
Ding-dong theory, according to which there is a mystic harmony
between sound and sense: "There is a law which runs through nearly
the whole of nature that everything which is struck, rings. Each
substance has its peculiar ring." Language is the result of an
instinct, a "faculty peculiar to man in his primitive state, by
which every impression from without received its vocal expression
from within, a faculty which becomes extinct when its object is
fulfilled."
Noire started a fourth theory, nicknamed the Yo-he-ho: under
any strong muscular effort it is a relief to the system to let
breath come out strongly and repeatedly, and by that process to let
the vocal chords vibrate in different ways.
These theories also include the thought which has also been advanced that
the most primitive language was composed of monotones, and that the more
complex expressions and combination of sounds have been developed as
civilization has advanced; the first means of communication being simple and
separate tones, perhaps augmented by gestures to enforce the meaning: the use
of sentences being a more recent development.
Commenting on these theories, which are mentioned here, briefly, for lack
of space, Professor Jespersen says:
Now, these theories, here imperfectly reproduced each in a few
lines, are naturally antagonistic. * * * Each of the three chief
theories enables one to explain parts of language, but still only
parts, and not even the most important parts the main body of
language seems hardly to be touched by any of them. Again, with the
exception of Noire's theory, they are too individualistic and take
too little account of language as a means of human intercourse.
Moreover, they all tacitly assume that up to the creation of
language man had remained mute or silent; but this is most
improbable from a physiological point of view. Language, pp.
413-416.
Do linguists now believe it possible for science to solve the question?
These theories advanced during the past century are now discarded, and with
the further light that has been received many of those who study the science
are not sure that the question ever will be solved. A few expressions of the
leading linguists are given for the purpose of showing their uncertainty and
how they stand baffled before the problem:
There is no tangible evidence, historical or otherwise, tending
to show that the mass of speech elements and speech processes has
evolved out of the interjections. These are a very small and
functionally insignificant proportion of the vocabulary of language;
at no time and in no linguistic province that we have record of do
we see a noticeable tendency towards their elaboration into the
primary warp and woof of language. They are never more, at best,
than a decorative edging to the ample complex fabric.
What applies to the interjections applies with even greater
force to the sound-initiative words. Such words as "whippoorwill,"
"to mew," "to caw," are in no sense natural sounds that man has
instinctively or automatically reproduced. They are just as truly
creations of the human mind, flights of the human fancy, as anything
else in language. They do not directly grow out of nature, they are
suggested by it and play with it. Hence the onomatopoetic theory of
the origin of speech, the theory that would explain all speech as
gradual evolution from sounds of an initiative character, really
brings us no nearer to the instinctive level than is language as we
know it today. As to the theory itself, it is scarcely more credible
than its interjectional counterpart. Edward Sapie: Language, An
introduction to the Study of Speech, pp. 5-6.
No theme in linguistic science is more often and more
voluminously treated than this (i.e., origin of language), and by
scholars of every grade and tendency; nor any, it may be added, with
less profitable result in proportion to the labor expended; the
greater part of what is said and written upon it is mere windy talk,
the assertion of subjective views which commend themselves to no
mind save the one that produces them, and which are apt to be
offered with a confidence, and defended with a tenacity, that are in
inverse ratio to their acceptableness. This has given the whole
question a bad repute among sober-minded philologists. William D.
Whitney: Oriental and Linguistic Studies, 1:279.
* * * We find that the ancient languages of our family,
Sanskrit, Zend, etc., abound in very long words; the further back we
go, the greater the number of sesquipedalia. We have seen also how
the current theory, according to which every language started with
monosyllable roots, fails at every point to account for actual facts
and breaks down before the established truths of linguistic history.
Otto Jespersen: Language, p. 420.
In most languages now only such sounds are used as are produced
by expiration, while inbreathed sounds and clicks, or suction-stops,
are not found in connected speech * * * In some very primitive South
African languages, on the other hand, clicks are found as integral
parts of words; and Bleek has rendered it probable that in former
stages of these languages they were in more extensive use than now.
We may perhaps draw the conclusion that primitive languages in
general were rich in all kinds of difficult sounds. Otto
Jespersen: Languages, p. 419.
Linguists study both spoken and written languages; they follow
up the history of these languages with the aid of the oldest
accessible documents. Yet, however far back they pursue their
inquiries, they always find themselves dealing with highly developed
languages, possessing a past of which we know nothing. The notion
that the reconstruction of the original language might be arrived at
by a comparison of existing languages is chimerical and, though it
may have been played with by the founders of comparative grammar, it
has long since been abandoned.
Some languages have been proved to be older than others, and
certain of our modern tongues are known to us in forms more than two
thousand years old. But the oldest known languages, the "parent
languages," as they are sometimes called, have nothing of the
primitive about them. Differ though they may from our modern
tongues, they only furnish us with an indication of the changes
which language has undergone, they do not tell us how language
originated. J. Vendryes, Professor of the University of Paris:
Language, A Linguistic Introduction to History, p. 5.
After contemplating the theories that have been advanced in the science
of linguistics, we involuntarily exclaim with Zophar: "Canst thou by searching
find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?" Having
learned that man has failed to discover the origin of language, why not turn
to the revelations of the Lord? When we begin our research from false
beginnings, we are bound to come to false conclusions, if we reach conclusions
at all. The Lord has spoken and has made known to us from where language came
and how it was first given. Of course to accept this fact, we must have faith
in the revelations, and be willing to believe the story of man's beginning on
the earth as the Almighty has informed us.
It is not known how long Adam remained in the Garden of Eden. I think we
may safely conclude that he was there some time, and all the while he was in
the presence of the Father, the Lord Omnipotent. From the Lord he received his
early training and was not left to find his way blindly after having been
given one or two commandments. The story says that the Lord spoke to Adam and
gave him commandments. How could he give him commandments without speaking to
him? What would be more natural than to believe that the Father would speak to
him in his own language, and that the language used was perfect, for it was
the language of celestial beings? We are informed that Adam and the Lord
carried on conversations. How was this done unless Adam had been taught to
speak? Therefore, all who have faith in the word of the Lord must know that
Adam had a language; that his language was pure and perfect for it came from
the Lord. All Latter-day Saints know this to be the case, for the Lord
revealed to Moses, and later to Joseph Smith in the writings of Moses, that
not only did Adam have the power of speech but he was taught also to read and
to write, and records were kept by him and by his posterity. These scriptures
say: "And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the
language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by
the spirit of inspiration; and by them their children were taught to read and
write, having a language which was pure and undefiled." Moses 6:5.
Again, Enoch said: "For a book of remembrance we have written among us,
according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our
own language." Moses 6:46.
This being true, the question arises, then, how is it that there are so
many languages and some of them so imperfect? The answer is a simple one, at
least to those who believe in the story of the confounding of tongues. These
believe that this was something that took place, as the record says it did,
and are not prepared to explain it away by the theories of men. Naturally,
languages change; for they are constantly taking on new words and expressions,
and casting off the old. The English language that we speak today, is far
different from that which was spoken by Shakespeare, yet, as the linguists
point out so forcibly to us, we have lost much of the beauty and color that
was in the language in his day.
When men depart from the revelations of the Lord and depend upon their
own wisdom and skill, there is a retrograde motion which sets in. History
reveals this to be the fact from the beginning. It is true in written language
as well as in other respects. This is shown in the languages of the native
races of America. Some of them lost almost entirely the are of written speech,
and were dependent upon the crude sign of drawing on the rock, the clay, or in
the sand. When the Spaniards went to Peru, they found a people with a
civilization which Prescott says was superior in many respects to that of
Spain. Yet those people had no written language and carried on their
communications by the use of knots skillfully arranged in strings. We know
that these races are descendants of a people who were once highly civilized
with records and a written language, but through their transgressions they
lost this art as well as their knowledge of the true and living God.
It is stated in the Book of Ether that Jared and his brother made the
request of the Lord that their language be not changed at the time of the
confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel. Their request was granted, and
they carried with them the speech of their fathers, the Adamic language, which
was powerful even in its written form, so that the things Mahonri wrote "were
mighty even * * * unto the overpowering of man to read them." That was the
kind of language Adam had and this was the language with which Enoch was able
to accomplish his mighty work. This being true, is there any wonder then that
puny man, in his endeavor to search out the beginnings of things is baffled
when he discovers what he is pleased to call primitive mankind, or, the most
ancient peoples of which history records, a language rich in metaphor and in
complex combinations?
Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end
of the world also. Moses 6:7.
Priesthood has been defined by President John Taylor as the "rule,
authority, administration, of the government of God on the earth or in the
heavens." It is the authority of God delegated to man, by which he is given
power to officiate in all the ordinances of the Gospel, speak in the name of
the Lord, perform all duties pertaining to the building up of the kingdom of
God on the earth, and obtain knowledge by revelation. It is the power by which
worlds are made. It is the power they obey, for it is the authority by which
our Eternal Father performs all his works.
Without Priesthood there can be no Church of Jesus Christ on the earth:
no official act performed in the name of the Lord and recognized by him; no
remission of sins or fellowship with God. No man has power to take this
authority to himself, it must be delegated and come through the proper
channels from the Author of our faith.
All this being true, it was essential that Adam be in possession of the
Priesthood and that it come down from him through his righteous sons whenever
the Church is on the earth, even to the latest generations. We have already
discovered that the Priesthood was first given to Adam on this earth. "Adam
held the keys of it from generation to generation * * * He had dominion given
him over every living creature. He is Michael the archangel, spoken of in the
Scriptures." D.H.C. 3:385-6.
Alma has given us a clear statement of the Priesthood, its purpose and
how it was obtained.
These are the words:
This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which
order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being
without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from
eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all
things.
Now they were ordained after this manner being called with a
holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon
them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and
ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end: Thus
they became high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the
Only begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end
of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is.
Amen.
Now, as I said concerning the holy order of this high
priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high
priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and
repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to
repent and work righteousness rather than to perish. Alma
13:7-10.
In the Bible we get no direct statement of the bestowal of Priesthood.
However, we know this was done, and the Lord has made it known and has given
us some of the details regarding these ordinations.
I glean these facts from Section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants:
The first authority of Priesthood in the earth was Patriarchal. Adam was
a patriarch, so were those who succeeded him. Being patriarchs, of course they
were, as stated by Alma, high priests after the Holy Order. This Patriarchal
(or Evangelical) order of Priesthood continued through the generations from
Adam to Noah, and from Noah to Moses. The revelation says:
It is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the
church, to ordain evangelical ministers, as they shall be designated
unto them by revelation.
The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down
from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants
of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made.
This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by
lineage in the following manner:
From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of
sixty-nine years, and was blessed by him three years previous to his
(Adam's) death, and received the promise of God by his father, that
his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should
be preserved unto the end of the earth;
Because he (Seth) was a perfect man, and his likeness was the
express likeness of his father, insomuch that he seemed to be like
unto his father in all things, and could be distinguished from him
only by his age. D.C. 107:39-43.
Enos was ordained at the age of one hundred and thirty-four years and
four months. Cainan was eighty-seven years old when he received his
ordination. Mahalaleel was four hundred and ninety-six years and seven days
old when he was ordained. Jared was two hundred years old when he was
ordained. Enoch was twenty-five and his son Methuselah was one hundred years
old when the. Priesthood was conferred upon them. All of these patriarchs were
ordained and blessed under the hand of Adam. Perhaps we might be permitted the
reflection that it may have been possible that these men received some lesser
office in the Priesthood before the authority of the evangelist was conferred
upon them by father Adam. Such a thought is suggested by the statement that
Cainan was called upon by the Lord in the wilderness in his fortieth year, but
was ordained an evangelist by Adam when he was eighty-seven.
Lamech was ordained under the hand of Seth when he was thirty-two years
of age, and Noah was only ten years old when he received his ordination under
the hand of Methuselah. It is evident that Adam reserved to himself the honor
of conferring this office upon each of the patriarchs who were living in his
day and who, without doubt, held presiding office. We are not to understand
that these ten men were the only ones who held the divine authority before the
flood, but that they were called to positions of responsibility, or presiding
authority, among their fellows. It is hardly reasonable to suppose that these
ten men were left in their day and generation to perform all the labor
required of men holding the Priesthood. They had a church organization. This
we learn through the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It could not be
otherwise, for there is always order in the kingdom of God, both on the earth
and in the heavens. Moreover in this revelation we read:
Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth,
Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah who were all
high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous
into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his
last blessing.
And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed
Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him;
I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come
of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever. D.C. 107:33-55.
In the 84th section, the order of descent of the Priesthood is continued,
and these facts are learned:
Moses received the Priesthood from Jethro, his father-in-law. It will be
observed that Jethro was not an Israelite, but a Midianite, yet he held the
Priesthood. The Bible does not tell us much in regard to the Midianites or
other nations as pertaining to Priesthood and their standing before the Lord.
Jethro, who was a descendant of Abraham, evidently was entitled to the
Priesthood and so, we may believe, were others among his people. Jethro
received the Priesthood from Caleb, and Caleb received the Priesthood from
Elihu, and Elihu under the hand of Jeremy, and Jeremy under the hand of Gad
who received it from Esaias who lived in the days of Abraham. From this
information it would appear that Moses received his Priesthood outside of the
tribes of Israel and through a lineage outside of the descendants of Jacob. We
are not given to understand to what nation or nations Caleb, Elihu, Jeremy and
Gad belonged, but some of them, at least, we may presume were descendants of
Abraham and of Midian. "Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was
blessed of him." Abraham received his Priesthood from Melchizedek and was
blessed by Melchizedek, the king of Salem, the great high priest.
The order of the descent of the Priesthood through Israel after the days
of Noah may be traced through Aaron and his sons. This, of course, was the
Aaronic Priesthood. The Lord had taken Moses from Israel and with him the
Melchizedek Priesthood, because of the unpreparedness of the children of
Israel to receive it. However, we are informed by the Prophet Joseph Smith,
that the prophets in Israel, such as Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah, held
the Melchizedek Priesthood. In fact Elijah was the last of the prophets in
Israel to hold the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood with its sealing
powers, which authority he bestowed upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
When Christ came in his ministry he restored the fulness of Priesthood
and called Twelve Apostles. Three of these apostles acted as a First
Presidency, for the Lord gave to them the "keys of the kingdom." "The Savior,
Moses and Elias gave the keys to Peter, James and John on the mount when they
were transfigured before him," said Joseph Smith.
From the days of Moses to the coming of John the Baptist, the people were
subject to the law of Moses and to the Aaronic, or Lesser Priesthood; but when
Christ came he restored the full authority and organization of his Church. The
Aaronic Priesthood was restored in this dispensation by John the Baptist and
the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and John. The ancient prophets from
the beginning came and committed the keys of their several dispensations to
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, that all things might be gathered together in
this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. The Lord said to Joseph Smith and
the elders associated with him:
Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the
Priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers
For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been
hid from the world, with Christ in God
Therefore, your life and the Priesthood have remained, and must
needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of
all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the
world began. D.C. 86:8-10.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord
hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him for
they that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Malachi 3:16.
How helpless is man without the guidance of the Lord! How foolish are his
thoughts! Without divine inspiration man falls into the pit and is taken in
the snare. All his ways are darkness, and he is confounded and put to shame.
Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners
in the way.
The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach
his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep
his covenant and his testimonies. Psalms 25:8-10.
We have referred to the many theories advanced to explain the origin of
speech. Men have spent years of serious cogitation trying to discover how the
vocal cords and the voice box were developed in man. Explanation has been
piled upon explanation in the endeavor to enlighten us as to the methods by
which speech was developed. How much better it is for us to accept the simple
but comprehensive statement of the Lord!
While Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden they were taught to
converse in the language of the Father. The Bible tells us that the Lord
carried on conversations with Adam. He could not do this if Adam had not been
taught to understand his words. Moreover, this language was not an imperfect
mode of speech, such as we have today. It was the language of celestial
beings. Not only could Adam, the first man, speak, but he was also taught to
read and write. From the Book of Moses we obtain a comprehensive understanding
of these facts. Thus do the scriptures read:
And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and
the Lord blessed them;
And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded,
in the Language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called
upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;
And by them their children were taught to read and write,
having a language which was pure and undefiled.
Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be
in the end of the world also.
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;
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 6:4-9.
This ancient book of remembrance and genealogical record of the children
of God, which contained the generations of Adam, was intended to be preserved
and handed down from generation to generation. These records were kept by the
Church. Those whose names were found therein, were known as the "children of
God." This title was given to them because they had been baptized and had made
covenant with the Lord. What a glorious thing it would have been if men had
remained faithful through all ages, and this wonderful record had been handed
down from father to son without a break! But Satan came among the people and
tempted them, so "men became carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out
from the presence of God." Nevertheless as long as men remained faithful to
their covenants, this book of remembrance was had among them and the names of
the righteous were recorded therein.
When Enoch was called out of the land of Cainan to preach to those who
had rejected the Gospel, he carried with him the knowledge of this book of
remembrance which was of great value to him. These are the words he taught the
people:
The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven,
and he is my God, and your God, and ye are my brethren, and why
counsel ye yourselves and deny the God of heaven?
The heavens he made; the earth is his footstool; and the
foundation thereof is his. Behold, he laid it, an host of men hath
he brought in upon the face thereof.
And death hath come upon our fathers; nevertheless we know
them, and cannot deny, and even the first of all we know, even Adam.
For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according
to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our
own language. Moses 6:43-46.
In this manner Enoch presented the evidence to the wayward that the
Father spoke to Adam. In some manner this book of remembrance (and perhaps
other records) was handed down to Noah and after the flood to Abraham. Noah
taught the people as he received instruction from Enoch and the fathers.
Abraham had such a record, as we learn from his own pen, for he said:
But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning
the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own
hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and
also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto
the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to
write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my
posterity that shall come after me. Abraham 1:31.
By this we discover that the book which revealed the writings of Adam and
the patriarchs had been preserved in the hand of Abraham. Moreover, we learn
from Abraham that the fathers, even from the days of Adam, were not ignorant
of the shape of the earth, the planets and their relationship to the stars. It
was not until after the loss of these books and the rejection of revelation
that ignorance and spiritual darkness bound the minds and souls of men. Had
mankind continued to worship the Lord, their names would have continued to be
written in the book of remembrance kept by the prophets, and the knowledge of
the things of God would have continued among men unto this day.
A book of remembrance was kept in the day of Moses, and when the great
prophet plead with the Lord to turn away his anger from Israel, Moses said:
"Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet
now, if thou wilt forgive their sin ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out
of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever
hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." Ex. 32:31-33.
It is of these early times that Malachi speaks, and his prophecy was
considered of such importance that the Savior repeated it to the Nephites as
follows:
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and
the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written
before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his
name.
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day
when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his
own son that serveth him.
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the
wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
3 Nephi 24:16-18.
By these words of Malachi we are instructed and shown the importance of
assembling often to hear of the Lord and to worship him. The ancient saints
"spake often, one to another" and they "thought upon his name." For this
righteousness they were not to be forsaken, and were to be spared as a "man
spareth his own son that serveth him." What a lesson is here for us to learn!
Are we not trying to make our meetings easy for the people because they do not
like to assemble "often," to speak one to another and to be instructed and to
think upon the name of the Lord? Let us take warning, lest our names be not
found in the Lamb's "Book of Life," which is the book of remembrance. It is
"he that overcometh" who shall be found worthy. Moreover, the Lord said to the
Prophet Joseph Smith:
And all they who are not found written in the book of
remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall
be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among
unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth. D.C. 85:9.
Joseph Smith kept a book of remembrance, called the "Book of the Law of
the Lord," in which he recorded the names of those who had proved valiant in
the testimony of Jesus. It is a most important thing for us, as members of the
Church, to have our names enrolled in the Lamb's "Book of Life," or the book
of remembrance, as being worthy of honor, glory and eternal life. Out of the
books we are to be judged. "Write the works of this people, which shall be,
even as hath been written, of that which hath been," said the Savior to the
Nephites, "For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which
shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works
be known unto men. And behold, all things are written by the Father; therefore
out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged." (3 Nephi
27:24-26.) How necessary it is that the records kept on earth shall correspond
to the records kept in heaven! I pray you, let each of us see to it that our
names are found in the Father's Book of Remembrance among those who shall be
found worthy at the day of the coming of Christ.
My name is Jehovah, * * * And I will make of thee a great nation, and I
will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and
thou shalt he a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they
shall bear this ministry and priesthood unto all nations. Abraham 2:8-9.
Spiritual Progenitor of Worshipers of the Supreme God
John Lord says, "Abraham appears to us, after the lapse of nearly four
thousand years, as the most august character in history. * * * He is the
spiritual father equally of Jews, Christians, and Mohammedans, in their
warfare with idolatry. In this sense, he is the spiritual progenitor of all
those nations, tribes and peoples, who now acknowledge, or who may hereafter
acknowledge, a personal God, supreme and eternal in the universe which He
created." Beacon Lights of History, vol. 2, p. 27.
Both Abraham and Moses were called to their respective duties before they
were born. No doubt the Lord placed them in their positions because of marked
characteristics which peculiarly fitted them for their times. Adam was called
to stand at the head of the human family and to be a prince over it forever.
Noah was likewise honored as the father of the race after the flood, and as
such became its progenitor. Melchizedek, because of his righteousness, was
signally honored by having the Holy Priesthood named after him. It was
reserved for Abraham to be the progenitor of the chosen people of God. He
received the title of the "friend of God," and was called the father of the
faithful.
Abraham was of the eleventh generation from Noah. Several hundred years
had passed since the flood, and people had multiplied and spread over the face
of the earth. The civilizations of Egypt, Chaldea, Assyria and the petty
nations of Canaan, had been established. In the midst of this scattering the
true worship of the Father was nearly lost. Sacrifice instituted in the days
of Adam and continued in the practice and teaching of Noah, in the similitude
of the great sacrifice of the Son of Man, had become perverted. Instead of
offering clean animals, such as the lamb and bullock, the apostate nations had
dwindled in unbelief to the extent that human sacrifice was offered to their
idol gods.
Ur of Chaldea, the home of Abraham, was a hot-bed of idolatrous iniquity.
In Abraham's own house these evil practices prevailed, for Terah, his father,
was steeped in idolatry. Abraham, therefore, had every opportunity to believe
and practice the religion of the heathen, but this he refused to do. In some
manner not explained, he had access to the writings of the fathers, and being
studious, he learned the doctrines of the fathers and hence to worship the
living God.
We all know something of the courage it takes for one to stand in
opposition to united custom, and general belief. None of us likes to be
ridiculed. Few are able to withstand popular opinion even when they know it is
wrong, and it is difficult to comprehend the magnificent courage displayed by
Abraham in his profound obedience to Jehovah, in the midst of his
surroundings. His moral courage, his implicit faith in God, his boldness in
raising his voice in opposition to the prevailing wickedness, is almost beyond
comparison. Without doubt this all had its part in the Lord granting the
reward and blessings to Abraham and his posterity to the latest generations.
Few greater blessings have been given to mortal man.
Abraham's account of his life is very brief. He says his fathers had
turned from their righteousness and the holy commandments which the Lord had
given them, to the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refusing to
hearken to his voice.
In the midst of these idolatrous conditions Abraham saw that he would
have to seek another home. He sought for the rights of the fathers. He desired
to become a follower of righteousness and a rightful heir to the Holy
Priesthood. This he received. He says, "It was conferred upon me from the
fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea even
from the beginning, or before the foundations of the earth to the present
time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, our
first father, through the fathers unto me. I sought for mine appointment unto
the Priesthood, according to the appointment of God unto the fathers
concerning the seed." Abraham 1:3-4.
In answer to Abraham's prayer he was led into a new country. Here great
blessings were awaiting him. Before he could receive these blessings the Lord
had to test him to see if he would be obedient in all things. This extreme
test came when Abraham was commanded to offer Isaac, his child of promise, as
a sacrifice. The pangs that came to him we may never know. Abraham knew the
offering of human sacrifice was an abomination in the sight of God. He had
condemned it in Ur, and by so doing he had nearly lost his life. He fully
understood the law of sacrifice, for he had been taught the fulness of the
Gospel. Not only had angels ministered to him but he had talked with God face
to face. Abraham had the "book of remembrance" which had come down from the
fathers, so he was fully informed in relation to Gospel truth.
His act in offering Isaac was not influenced in any degree by the
idolatrous practices of his time, but was done simply in obedience to the
command of the Almighty. Abraham's faith was perfect.
The covenant the Lord made with Abraham was of three-fold nature as a
blessing to mankind to the latest generations. We do not fully comprehend its
significance even now. Perhaps we will not until we enter celestial glory. The
Priesthood and its powers were to descend through Abraham's posterity. It was
through him that Christ was to come, and thus prove a blessing to all nations.
Moreover, the promise was made that in addition to Abraham's direct
descendants, all who should receive the Gospel from that time forth, should
also become of Abraham's seed by adoption, and his blood should be mixed among
the nations to leaven them with the privileges of the Gospel.
Joseph Smith, in the Inspired Translation of the Scriptures, has given us
this account:
And God talked with him, saying, My people have gone astray
from my precepts, and have not kept mine ordinances, which I gave
unto their fathers;
And they have not observed mine anointing, and the burial, or
baptism wherewith I commanded them;
But have turned from the commandment, and taken unto themselves
the washing of the children, and the blood of sprinkling;
And have said that the blood of the righteous Abel was shed for
sins; and have not known wherein they are accountable before me.
But as for thee, behold, I will make my covenant with thee, and
thou shalt be a father of many nations * * *
And thou shalt observe to keep all my covenants wherein I
covenanted with thy fathers; and thou shalt keep the commandments
which I have given thee with mine own mouth, and I will be a God
unto thee and thy seed after thee. * * *
And God said unto Abraham. Therefore thou shalt keep my
covenant, thou and thy seed after thee, in their generations.
And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful and I will make
nations of thee, and kings shall come of thee, and of thy seed.
Gen. 17:4-21.
Perhaps the clearest statement of the covenant the Lord made with Abraham
is given by Abraham himself in the manuscript translated by the Prophet Joseph
Smith:
I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above
measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt
be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they
shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;
And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive
this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted
thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that
curse thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is thy
Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall
continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say the
literal seed or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the
earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are
the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal. Abraham 2:9-11.
No person can receive the Gospel without becoming of the seed of Abraham.
If they are not of his blood by descent they become so by adoption. This is
the meaning of the words of the Savior to the Jews: "And I say unto you, That
many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom
shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth." Moreover, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that all who receive the
two Priesthoods become sons of Moses and of Aaron, and "the seed of Abraham,
and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God." This is done by virtue of
the covenant made with Abraham, which was renewed with Jacob and the tribes of
Israel.
In the past the descendants of Abraham, through Israel, have suffered
greatly for their transgressions, and the blessings which were theirs by
inheritance, based upon their faithfulness, have been withheld. They have been
"scattered and peeled" as Isaiah said of them, and hated by all nations.
Nevertheless the Lord has not forgotten them nor the covenant he made with
their fathers. The nations that oppressed them have passed away, or are doomed
to such a fate; but Israel is now being gathered and the Lord is renewing his
covenants with them. Eventually they shall possess the land of their
inheritance and the Lord will set his sanctuary in the midst of them
forevermore. Much of the ordinance work now being done in the temples is in
fulfillment of the covenant the Lord made with Abraham and his children.
And he put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which his hand
had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could
not see the end thereof. Abraham 3:12.
When Abraham was living in Ur of Chaldea the Lord first made the promise
to him of innumerable posterity. And the Lord said to Abraham: "Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land
that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will
bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will
bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall
all families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12:1-3.
Obedient to this call, Abraham left the land of Chaldea, but he took with
him Sarah his wife, his father, and Lot, his brother's son and all his
substance, and such souls as would follow him and they moved to Haran. We do
not know just where Haran was. It was a settlement made by Abraham and named
after the father of Lot, who had died in Ur before the journey from that place
began. In Haran Abraham and his household remained for some time, and then
took up their travel still towards the south and west to go into the land of
Canaan. When Abraham entered Canaan the Lord spoke to him again, saying, "Unto
thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord,
who appeared unto him." Moreover the Lord said, "Lift up now thine eyes, and
look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward and
westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to
thy seed forever." This land which Abraham saw was not merely the little
parcel known as Palestine, but it extended to the northward, and to the
southward and from the ocean to Mesopotamia.
In the land of Haran Abraham's father died, still believing in his
idolatry. When Abraham and Lot came into the land of Canaan, they found the
Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites and other petty nations there. Perhaps
Abraham wondered what the Lord would do to these people for they were
beginning to overrun the land. Moreover he was told that his people were not
to mix with these inhabitants. The Lord said that the children of Abraham
should go into Egypt where they would remain until they had become strong and
then when the iniquity of the Amorite was full, Abraham's seed should come out
of Egypt to possess the land.
When the first promise was made to Abraham of a numerous posterity he was
comparatively a young man. His wife Sarah was barren, and the prospects did
not look very encouraging for the fulfillment of the promise. A man of less
faith would have become discouraged and might have lost confidence in the
promise of the Lord. Not so with Abraham, although these must have been trying
days, for to be without posterity was then considered the greatest calamity
that could come to a man. Yet with this promise over him, Abraham was forced
to wait until he was old. Nearly half a century passed away from the time of
the first promise until Isaac, the favored son, was born. Through all these
years Abraham never lost confidence in the Lord. He believed implicitly that
what had been told him would come to pass, but it was not until he was one
hundred years of age and Sarah ninety, that their hopes were realized in the
birth of their son.
No modern astronomer, with the aid of all the improvements and inventions
at his command, has seen the heavens and comprehended their vastness as did
Abraham of old. What Abraham saw, the patriarchs before him saw and
understood, even from the beginning. Written in the "records of the fathers,
even the patriarchs," which were handed down to Abraham, was knowledge "of the
beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they
were made known unto the fathers." (Abraham 1:31.) The ancients were not
ignorant of these things, as is so generally supposed.
"And I saw the stars, that they were very great, and that one of them was
nearest unto the throne of God"; said Abraham, "and there were many great ones
which were near unto it; and the Lord said unto me: These are the governing
ones; and the name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto me, for
I am the Lord thy God: I have set this one to govern all those which belong to
the same order as that upon which thou standest." Abraham 3:2-3.
It was in the night time when the Lord spoke these words to Abraham and
revealed to him, in vision and by the Urim and Thummim, the greatness of the
stars. As he gazed upon them for his eyes were opened they greatly
multiplied before him so that he could not see the end thereof, for the stars
were without number.
Here was a wonderful lesson to be learned by Abraham. In this vision the
wonders of the universe were made plain to him. It was not merely a lesson in
astronomy given under the tuition of the Master Astronomer, who built these
vast worlds and knew them all by name. There were other and deeper meanings in
this lesson. Abraham learned that the works of the Almighty are endless. He
discovered that they are created as habitations for man. These glorified
worlds are abodes of righteous celestial beings the children of our eternal
Father. Moreover, he learned that there is an eternal purpose in all the works
of God, that many worlds have gone through their probation and on to eternal
glory. And as one world passes on to its exaltation, so shall another come,
for there are many worlds that have passed away and many more to come as
habitations for men yet unborn. The vastness and glory of the universe to
Abraham was overwhelming. Then the Lord promised: "I will multiply thee, and
thy seed after thee, like unto these, and if thou canst count the number of
sands, so shall be the number of thy seed."
In this vision Abraham learned that he was to be the progenitor of a
countless race. Not only would his posterity be like the innumerable stars for
multitude, but there should be among them, as it was with the stars, "many
great ones," who should be given governing authority. Among these the promise
was made that there should be One of the great ones who should govern next to
the throne of God. For, it was explained, as there is one star above another,
so shall there be another still greater, until you come to Kolob, nearest the
throne of God. Likewise, if one spirit is above or more intelligent than
another, so shall there be another still greater, until you come to Jesus
Christ, or, even to the Father, who is the greatest of all.
As has been shown, the promise was also made that his posterity should
become a blessing to all nations. Israel became a mighty nation. In fact
Israel became a multitude of nations, for the Lord led out of Palestine many
colonies and planted them in all parts of the earth. Even the scattering of
Israel, because of their pollution of the land of their inheritance, proved to
be a blessing to the nations of the earth, for thereby the blood of Israel was
mingled with the blood of the Gentile nations. In this way all nations became
partakers of the covenant of Abraham and rightful heirs, through faithfulness,
to his promised blessings.
And the Lord said, "And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will
make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish
by covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations
for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after
thee." So we see that Abraham, in accepting this covenant, bound his posterity
as well as himself.
Nor is this covenant confined to mortal life. It extends beyond the grave
and into the celestial kingdom. The children of Abraham, if they will keep the
covenant as they receive it in the house of the Lord, shall, as Abraham their
father, continue on through all eternity to increase, and there shall be no
end to their posterity. In this way the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
are extended to them, and they become partakers to the fullest extent. For
there is to be a continuation of the "seeds forever" among those who receive
exaltation in the kingdom of God. This is the promise, and there shall come
through Abraham kings and priests and rulers, not only on this earth but in
the heavens, and so shall it be worlds without end.
The saddest story in all history is the story of Cain. Born heir to an
everlasting inheritance in righteousness, with the promise of a crown of glory
that would never fade away, and that too, in the morning of creation when all
things were new and he threw it all away! In those days heaven and earth
were near each other, the Father conversed with men and holy angels visited
the earth to give instruction. Man had to obtain knowledge through heavenly
vision and direct communication with the Father, for there were no precedents,
no records of the past, no experiences from others handed down for the
guidance of the world.
Cain was born of goodly parents. Michael, the great prince, who helped
form the earth, was his father. No man, save Jesus Christ, was ever blessed
with greater honor or responsibility than Michael. No man deserved to be
honored more than he. He had been given the first place in the history of the
world and was taught directly from the heavens. Cain had the great honor of
being Adam's son, and he, too, was privileged with the same blessings as his
father. What a mighty man he could have been! How his name might have stood
out with excellent luster as that of one of the valiant sons of God! How he
might have been honored to the latest generation! But he would have none of
it!
Cain's great sin was not committed in ignorance. We have every reason to
believe that he had the privilege of standing in the presence of messengers
from heaven. In fact the scriptures infer that he was blessed by communication
with the Father and was instructed by messengers from his presence. No doubt
he held the Priesthood; otherwise his sin could not make of him Perdition. He
sinned against the light. And this he did, so we are told, because he loved
Satan more than he loved God.
From the Bible one might infer that Cain was the first born child of
Adam, but the Bible gives only a meager history. In the Book of Moses we
obtain a more extended view and a better insight into conditions in that early
day. Adam and Eve were the parents of numerous children, sons and daughters,
even before Cain and Abel were born, as we gain the information from that
story.
After Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden, he began to
till the earth and eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, and Eve labored
with him. There were born to them sons and daughters who began to spread
forth, and we read, "And from that time forth the sons and daughters of Adam
began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land, and to tend
flocks, and they also begat sons and daughters. And Adam and Eve, his wife,
called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from
the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them. * * *
"And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known
unto their sons and their daughters." But Satan came among them saying: "I am
also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they
believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that
time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish." Those who held the Priesthood
and loved the truth in those days found plenty to do in crying repentance, and
Adam and Eve "ceased not to call upon God." Moses 5:3-4, 12-13.
In the midst of all this rebellion, Adam and Eve, were made sad because
of the actions of their children. When Cain was born, Eve exclaimed: "I have
gotten a man from the Lord: wherefore he may not reject his words." But when
Cain was grown to manhood he hearkened not saying, "Who is the Lord, that I
should know him?" And the scriptures say, "And Cain loved Satan more than God.
And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord." So we see it
was not because the Lord had commanded him that prompted Cain to make his
offering, but because Satan had commanded him. Naturally, then, we expect that
the Lord would have respect for the offering of righteous Abel, but would have
no respect for the offering of Cain. Even after this the Lord spoke to Cain in
kindness and Promised him great blessings and that he would be acceptable if
he would do well. Moreover, Cain was also told that if he hearkened not to the
Lord that sin was at his door and, said the Lord, "Satan desireth to have
thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments, I will deliver thee
up, and it shall be unto thee according to his desire. And thou shalt rule
over him; 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. And it shall
be said in time to come That these abominations were had from Cain; for he
rejected the greater counsel which was had from God; and this is a cursing
which I will put upon thee, except thou repent. And Cain was wroth, and
listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, his brother,
who walked in holiness before the Lord." Moses 5:23-26.
Are we not led to believe that instead of accepting this word from the
Lord in the spirit of humility and with regret for his evil actions, Cain
rather rejoiced in the words that were spoken; "Satan desireth to have thee *
* * And thou shalt rule over him?" Is it not possible that he rejoiced in the
knowledge that through his wickedness he should rule in the kingdom of
wickedness? What glory and honor could Cain expect to obtain in becoming the
"father of lies" and becoming Perdition? Such an attitude of mind is hard to
understand. To think that Cain would glory in obtaining dominion in the empire
of evil, and in becoming the author of falsehood and holding the scepter of
power in the kingdom of darkness, is almost beyond belief. Yet we are told
that Cain rejoiced in the counsels given him by Satan, and frowned upon the
counsels given him by Jehovah. Cain rejoiced, saying: "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 5:31.
Other men have sinned, most of them knowingly, but here we have the first
and most pronounced case in history of one glorying in wickedness. Cain chose
knowingly, but not intelligently. He killed his brother, not so much for his
flocks as for the glory of being Master Mahan. Not so much with the expectancy
of obtaining his brother's worldly possessions, but to cut off without
posterity that righteous brother, and, because Satan commanded him!
Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he
became the father of an inferior race. A curse was placed upon him and that
curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time
endures. Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a black skin
and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fulness of the
blessings of the Gospel. These are the descendants of Cain. Moreover, they
have been made to feel their inferiority and have been separated from the rest
of mankind from the beginning. Enoch saw the people of Canaan, descendants of
Cain, and he says, "and there was a blackness came upon all the children of
Canaan, that they were despised among all people. * * * And it came to pass
that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of
Canaan, to repent." (Moses 7:8, 12.) In justice it should be said that there
have been among the seed of Cain many who have been honorable and who have
lived according to the best light they had in this second estate. Let us pray
that the Lord may bless them with some blessings of exaltation, if not the
fulness, for their integrity here.
But what a contrast! The sons of Seth, Enoch and Noah honored by the
blessings and rights of Priesthood! The sons of Abraham made rightful heirs to
all the blessings of the fathers! And the sons of Cain, denied the Priesthood;
not privileged to receive the covenants of glory in the kingdom of God! What
could be more sad than this? Yet, can we say that the Judge of all the earth
has not been just? We may not fully understand now, but the time will come
when all these things will be explained. Then we will say: Blessed be the name
of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who has blessed us with the blessings
of his glorious kingdom, where through our faithfulness we may dwell in
eternal truth and light. In the spirit of sympathy, mercy and faith, we will
also hope that blessings may eventually be given to our Negro brethren, for
they are our brethren children of God notwithstanding their black
covering emblematical of eternal darkness.
The question has been asked, "What evidence do we have that the Negro of
the present day is the descendant of Cain, and why is it he cannot have the
Priesthood?" There is no definite information on this question in the Bible,
and profane history is not able to solve it. From the Pearl of Great Price and
the teachings of Joseph Smith and the early elders of the Church who were
associated with him, we do obtain some definite instruction in regard to this
matter.
It is generally believed that the curse placed on Cain was continued in
his posterity and that through the seed of Ham this curse was brought through
the flood. Since Ham was the son of Noah, we must conclude that it was not Ham
who had the black skin and was a descendant of Cain. However, there is in the
Church the general belief that Ham married a woman who was a descendant of
Cain, and in this way the curse of Cain was continued after the flood in Ham's
posterity. Some of the brethren who were associated with the Prophet Joseph
Smith have declared that he taught this doctrine. That the wife of Ham was a
descendant of Cain seems to be embodied in the following passages in the Book
of Abraham:
Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham,
and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth.
From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood
of the Canaanites was preserved in the land.
The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was
the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the
Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden.
When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who
afterwards settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang the
race which preserved the curse in the land. Abraham 1:21-24.
We see that the wife of Ham was named Egyptus, which name signifies "that
which is forbidden." We know it was the custom in those early times to give to
children names conveying a definite meaning based upon some striking event
connected with birth or early life, or to point out and fix attention on some
peculiarity of character or habit which they may have formed. Frequently, in
later life, names were changed because some outstanding event in or
characteristic of the life of the individual was discovered. In this manner
the name of Esau was changed. At his birth he was called Esau because he was
covered with "an hairy garment," but later in life when he sold his birthright
his name was changed to Edom because of that event, and his descendants were
known as Edomites. So it appears very probable that Egyptus was so named
because she partook of the curse of her fathers. Moreover, this thought is
strengthened in the statement that from Ham sprang the race which preserved
the curse in the land. The implication seems to be very strong that this curse
preserved through the seed of Ham was a curse which came from the other side
of the flood. Elder B. H. Roberts several years ago discussed this question as
follows:
Now, why is it that the seed of Him was cursed as pertaining to
the Priesthood? Why is it that his seed "could not have right to the
Priesthood?" Ham's wife was named "Egyptus, which in the Chaldean
signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden * * * and
thus from Ham sprang the race which preserved the curse in the
land." Was the wife of Ham, as her name signifies, of a race with
which those who held the Priesthood were forbidden to intermarry?
Was she a descendant of Cain, who was cursed for murdering his
brother? And was it by Ham marrying her, and she being saved from
the flood in the ark, that "the race which preserved the curse in
the land" was perpetuated? If so, then I believe that race is the
one through which it is ordained those spirits that were not valiant
in the great rebellion in heaven should come; who, through their
indifference or lack of integrity to righteousness, rendered
themselves unworthy of the Priesthood and its powers, and hence it
is withheld from them to this day. Contributor 6:297.
President Brigham Young, answering a question put to him by Elder Lorenzo
D. Young in a meeting held December 25, 1869, in Salt Lake City, said that
Joseph Smith had declared that the Negroes were not neutral in heaven, for all
the spirits took sides, but "the posterity of Cain are black because he (Cain)
committed murder. He killed Abel and God set a mark upon his posterity. But
the spirits are pure (i.e., innocent. See D.C. 93:38.) that enter their
tabernacles and there will be a chance for the redemption of all the children
of Adam, except the sons of perdition." J.H., Dec. 25, 1869.
On another occasion in a discourse President Brigham Young said:
Cain conversed with his God every day, and knew all about the
plan of creating this earth, for his father told him. But, for the
want of humility, and through jealousy, and an anxiety to possess
the kingdom, and to have the whole of it under his own control, and
not allow any body else the right to say one word, what did he do?
He killed his brother. The Lord put a mark on him * * * When all the
other children of Adam have had the privilege of receiving the
Priesthood, and of coming into the kingdom of God, and of being
redeemed from the four quarters of the earth and have received their
resurrection from the dead, then it will be time enough to remove
the curse from Cain and his posterity. He deprived his brother of
the privilege of pursuing his journey through life, and of extending
his kingdom by multiplying upon the earth; and because he did this,
he is the last to share the joys of the kingdom of God. J.D.
2:142-143.
President Woodruff, in his journal, records the words of President Young
as follows:
The Lord said, I will not kill Cain, but I will put a mark upon
him, and that mark will be seen upon the face of every Negro upon
the face of the earth; and it is the decree of God that mark shall
remain upon the seed of Cain until the seed of Abel shall be
redeemed, and Cain shall not receive the Priesthood, until the time
of that redemption. Any man having one drop of the seed of Cain in
him cannot receive the Priesthood; but the day will come when all
that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we
now have. History of Wilford Woodruff, p. 351.
These remarks indicate the enormity of the offense of Cain. He sinned
against the light, having been taught by the Almighty, and knowing perfectly
the plan of salvation. Moreover, he was cursed and his posterity after him
because he cut off Abel in his youth without posterity.
President Young also gave this explanation:
Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of
blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the
holy Priesthood, and the laws of God. They will go down to their death. And
when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy
Priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they
will then come up and possess the Priesthood. J.D. 11:272.
It was well understood by the early elders of the Church that the mark
which was placed on Cain and which his posterity inherited was the black skin.
The Book of Moses informs us that Cain and his descendants were black. Enoch
taught the Gospel among all the people everywhere, except the people of
Canaan. The people of Canaan lived before the flood, and were descendants of
Cain. Is it not probable that Ham named his son Canaan after Cain or one of
the descendants of Cain, who gave his name to the land in which the posterity
of Cain lived before the flood?
The Cainanites, who lived in the land of Cainan, from whence Enoch came,
were a righteous people and evidently were descendants of Seth. Then there
must have been another people called Canaanites who were a black race and the
descendants of Cain. Speaking of these peoples, Enoch said:
I came out from the land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a
land of righteousness unto this day. And my father taught me in all
the ways of God. Moses 6:41.
And the Lord said unto me: Prophesy; and I prophesied, saying:
Behold the people of Canaan, which are numerous, shall go forth in
battle array against the people of Shum, and shall slay them that
they shall utterly be destroyed; and the people of Canaan shall
divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and
unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people
of Canaan;
For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and
the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a
blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were
despised among all people.
* * * * *
And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the
people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent. Moses 7:7-8
and 12.
* * * * *
And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the
inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of
time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Behold
mine abode forever.
And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of
Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it were the seed of
Cain, for the seed of Cain was black, and had not place among them. Moses
7:21-22.
From these references we discover that the children of Cain were in all
respects very much like the children of Ham. The Canaanites before the flood
preserved the curse in the land; the Gospel was not taken to them, and no
other people would associate with them. The Canaanites after the flood also
preserved the curse in the land and were denied the rights of Priesthood.
Abraham informs us that through Egyptus, daughter of Ham who evidently bore
the same name as her mother Egypt was inhabited and named, and that her
sons could not hold the Priesthood. These facts are recorded in the words of
Abraham as follows:
Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh,
the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the
manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal.
Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and
judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly
to imitate the order established by the fathers in the first
generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the
reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with
the blessings of the earth and with the blessings of wisdom, but
cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.
Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have
the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain
claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by
their idolatry. Abraham 1:25-27.
President George A. Smith, speaking of the Negro race, in a discourse,
September 23, 1855, said: "When Cain brought a curse upon his own head and
that of his household, his after generations bear the same curse. The curse
that came upon Canaan, the son of Ham, was extended to a great portion of the
human race, and has continued to the present day." J.H., Sept. 23, 1855.
President Brigham Young, at another time said: "The seed of Ham, which is
the seed of Cain descending through Ham, will, according to the curse put upon
him, serve his brethren, and be a "servant of servants, to his fellow
creatures, until God removes the curse; and no power can hinder it." J.D.,
2:184.
The name of Ham is also rather significant, for it means "swarthy" or
"black." It is possible that this is an appellation given to the third son of
Noah because of the part he played in preserving through his lineage and
that most likely, as we have tried to show, through his wife Egyptus the
race of blacks upon whom the curse was placed. Piecing together the evidence
as we discover it in holy writ and in tradition, we are brought to the
conclusion that Ham, through Egyptus, continued the curse which was placed
upon the seed of Cain. Because of that curse this dark race was separated and
isolated from all the rest of Adam's posterity before the flood, and since
that time the same condition has continued, and they have been "despised among
all people."
This doctrine did not originate with President Brigham Young but was
taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. At a meeting of the general authorities of
the Church, held August 22, 1895, the question of the status of the Negro in
relation to the Priesthood was asked and the minutes of that meeting say:
"President George Q. Cannon remarked that the Prophet taught this
doctrine: That the seed of Cain could not receive the Priesthood nor act in
any of the offices of the Priesthood until the seed of Abel should come
forward and take precedence over Cain's offspring."
Joseph Smith has left very little on record in his own words outside of
the Pearl of Great Price. During the course of a discussion in Nauvoo in 1842,
on the question as to whether the Negroes or the Indians have received the
greater ill-treatment from the whites, the Prophet Joseph said: "The Indians
have greater cause to complain of the treatment of the whites, than the
Negroes, or sons of Cain." (D.H.C., 4:501.) But we all know it is due to his
teachings that the Negro today is barred from the Priesthood. The Negro may be
baptized and enter the Church; and some of these unfortunate people have been
baptized and have proved their faithfulness and worthiness before the Lord, in
this their second estate, setting examples in righteousness which many of the
sons of Shem and Japheth could emulate with everlasting profit. Surely the
Lord will remember their faithfulness and reward them accordingly.
Ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh. D.C. 86:9.
From the days of Adam to the days of Moses the order of Priesthood, as we
have already explained, was patriarchal. We read in the Doctrine and Covenants
(107:40-41) that "the order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down
from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the
chosen seed, to whom the promises were made." It was with this understanding
in mind that Abraham sought for his appointment unto the Priesthood,
"according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed."
Abraham also became a rightful heir, a high priest, and a patriarch, "holding
the right belonging to the fathers."
In the days of Adam and the ante-diluvian patriarchs, the government of
the Church was also the government of the people. In other words, when the
Church existed the order of Priesthood prevailed in matters temporal as well
as in matters spiritual. The government was, in fact, a theocracy. This
theocracy was established by the Lord with Adam, and Adam was placed at the
head. We also learn this from Abraham who has said:
Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh,
the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the
manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal.
Pharaoh being a righteous man, established his kingdom and
judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly
to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first
generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the
reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with
the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but
cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. Abraham 1:25-27.
From this we learn the government of Egypt was one of the first organized
after the flood, and that the first ruler established it after the pattern
which had come down from the beginning. We judge that the same custom
prevailed in all other countries in the past, for it seems to have been taken
for granted that the oldest son was by right heir to governmental authority.
This practice prevailed not only among those holding the Priesthood but was
also followed by all peoples who rejected the Gospel and the power of divine
authority. In those countries where kingdoms yet obtain we find this custom
still in vogue. But today a change is taking place in worldly governments, and
the patriarchal order, or that which is called the right of primogeniture, is
fast fading away. In its stead republican forms of government are being
established.
Not only did this patriarchal order obtain in the earliest Church but the
same order was followed in each individual family. According to this law the
father had full authority over his posterity. It is for that reason that we
find strong men obedient to their fathers and accepting their counsels in all
things. Rebellion against parental authority was considered one of the
greatest sins. The father had absolute authority over his house and not only
did he reign as monarch with his word the law, but such authority was
generally recognized. The father had power of life and death over the members
of his family in like manner as an ancient absolute monarch had over his
subjects in the affairs of the country.
When Abraham, therefore, went forth to offer Isaac, according to the law
of the times he was within his rights; no organized society or government
questioned his authority. Isaac also understood that his fathers will was
supreme, and his duty was to meekly obey. By the same right, parents
frequently did the courting for their children. At least, they felt it their
bounden duty to seek wives for their sons. Abraham, acting on this principle,
and, without any doubt, guided by the inspiration of the Lord, sent his
servant back to his own people to get Rebekah as a companion for Isaac. It was
in keeping with the ancient custom when Hagar took for Ishmael "a wife out of
the land of Egypt," and when Samson saw a daughter of a Philistine to say to
his parents, "Get her for me to wife."
Of course, according to the law of the Gospel the authority of the
Priesthood, even from the earliest times, was to be exercised in humility,
mercy and justice. The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith was just as true then
as now, wherein he said:
Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are
they not chosen?
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
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. *
* *
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue
of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by longsuffering, by
gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge
the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. D.C. 121:34-36,
41-42.
The same privilege established in the beginning by which the oldest son,
if faithful, has a right to succeed his father in the chief office in the
evangelical order of Priesthood, has been declared to be a correct principle
by the Lord today. There are two offices in the Church which descend from
father to son by right. One is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood,
because this Priesthood was conferred on Aaron and his sons after him to the
latest generations. Therefore if the rightful heir to this Priesthood should
be found, and he should be worthy, he could be called to this office to act
without counselors. This is the word of the Lord:
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. D.C. 68:16-17.
The other office which by divine appointment descends from father to son,
is that of patriarch. Like the matter of appointing bishops, this does not
apply to all patriarchs in the church, but to the man who is a literal
descendant of Joseph, and the firstborn among the sons of Ephraim. It was made
known by revelation that Joseph Smith, Sen., was the man who held the right to
this authority, and the office has descended from him through the rightful
lineage as the Lord has made it known.
Outside of these two offices there are no offices that may be claimed by
any son because his father held it. But all men who will hearken to the
commandments of the Lord and are willing to keep his covenants are heirs of
the Priesthood. This privilege, as formerly discussed, comes to them through
the blessings and covenant conferred upon Abraham. So the Lord said to the
early elders of the Church: "Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with
whom the Priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers For
ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world
with Christ in God" and this was said because of their faithfulness.
D.C. 86:8-9.
Be mindful of the race from whence you came. Virgil.
In the history of our Father's dealing with his children there have been
some notable exceptions to the general rule of inheritance. Quite generally
the rights of primogeniture were faithfully recognized in ancient times.
Exceptions were made by the Lord for good and sufficient reasons known best to
himself.
We may not know all the circumstances concerning the call of Jacob over
Esau, and just why the Lord chose the younger to inherit the rights of
Priesthood and appointed the older to serve the younger. We may say in truth,
that Jacob was more faithful and gave better heed to the commandments of the
Lord. This would entitle him to the blessings, for let it be remembered that
all blessings are predicated on faithfulness, and this according to a law
"irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of the world, * * * and
when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon
which it is predicated." On this ground, then, Jacob was entitled to supplant
Esau, if there was any such thing as a supplanting. Our history of those
events informs us that Jacob was called before he was born to inherit these
blessings. Then they were given him by the highest Authority, and who dare
question the right of that Authority to bestow the blessings?
No character of ancient Bible times has been more greatly misunderstood
and maligned than father Jacob. He could not have been as bad as some have
painted him, for he walked in the presence of Jehovah in obedience to the
divine will, and in the latter days of his life he could say to his faithful
son: "The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my
progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills," and these
blessings he had authority to bestow upon the head of that son, who had proved
his worthiness.
Reuben lost his birthright through transgression and it was conferred
upon Joseph, the older son of Rachel. No one questions his worthiness to
receive it, for Joseph is the peer of any ancient character in righteousness.
He became the savior of his father's house and by virtue of his faithfulness
and nobility of character a double portion was given to him in Israel. His two
sons were adopted by their grandfather as his own that they might inherit a
portion as tribes in Israel on equal footing with Simeon, Judah and the other
sons. In this Joseph lost nothing, but gained a double portion through Ephraim
and Manasseh.
The next notable departure from the right of the first-born son is
discovered in the blessings upon the heads of Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh
was the older, and so far as we are privileged to know, was a faithful son,
but the blessings of the first-born were not given to him, but conferred upon
his younger brother. If the fulness of the record were before us we perhaps
would see in clearness the reason. That there was good and sufficient reason
we cannot doubt, for it was the will of the Father. Ephraim, second son of
Joseph, inherited his father's place and the larger portion of his blessings.
Manasseh, the older son, was not neglected, for he too received a greater
portion than was given to most of the sons of Jacob.
Judah, fourth son of Leah, was honored in one respect above his brethren,
for it was through his lineage that the Redeemer of the world came. That,
surely, is honor enough for any man. Moreover the blessings of kingly power
were conferred upon him. His descendants were given the right to rule and
reign in Israel before the division of the kingdom and to continue through
David in that capacity in Judah.
But it was Ephraim who was called to be the "first-born." As we read the
record of those times we may be led to wonder just what honor this was which
was given to Ephraim. We discover the tribe of Levi becoming the priests of
the people, of the Aaronic and Levitical order. We see, first, the tribe of
Benjamin honored in the choosing of Saul, with the statement that had Saul
remained faithful that honor would have been perpetuated through his lineage.
We see David a son of Judah called to the throne and the kingdom given to him
perpetually in Israel. Although the great leader Joshua was of Ephraim, yet
after his death Joseph and his sons appear to have been overlooked or
forgotten.
But later came the division of the kingdom and the Lord gave to Ephraim
the government of ten of the twelve tribes. Unfortunately, we who are his
descendants have to admit that his sons who occupied this position, without
exception, made a very sad failure of it. They made Israel sin. The anger of
the Lord was kindled against them, and in his anger he suffered Israel to be
taken captive and removed entirely from the land. Ephraim and his fellows went
into exile and from that day until now they have been outcasts and lost, in
large measure, to the rest of mankind.
Yet, even in that exile and the scattering which followed, Ephraim has
been blessed. We are led to believe by what has been revealed that Ephraim,
more, perhaps, than those of the other tribes, "mixed himself with the
nations." He was scattered far and near and for many generations lost his
identity. This scattering was a punishment, yet as is often the case with
punishment meted out by the Lord, it has turned to be a blessing. He became a
blessing to the nations by giving to them the rights belonging to Israel.
With the translation of the Book of Mormon many of the descendants of
Joseph were made known. Who could have made that great discovery without a
revelation from the Lord? The Lamanites are of Israel. Lehi was a descendant
of Manasseh. We are informed that Ishmael, whose children joined the family of
Lehi, was of Ephraim. In this way children belonging to these two tribes were
planted in America. It is true that others also came, and it is just possible
that the Lord, remembering his promise to Joseph, sent with the Mulekites
others of the tribes of Joseph. At any rate, this land was given to them as
their everlasting inheritance. They have inherited it in the past. They will
do so more fully in the future.
We are told that there was a prophecy in the destruction of the coat of
many colors worn by Joseph. Part of it was preserved, and Jacob, before his
death, prophesied that as a remnant of the coat was preserved so should a
remnant of Joseph's posterity be preserved. "And he said, Even as this remnant
of garment of my son's hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of
my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken unto himself, while the
remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his
garment." Alma 46:24.
That remnant now found among the Lamanites shall eventually partake of
the blessings of the Gospel. They shall unite with the remnant which is being
gathered from among the nations and they shall be blessed of the Lord forever.
And the Lord shall make thee the head * * * and thou shalt be above only.
Deut. 28:13.
We learn from the Bible that Ephraim played no small part in the history
of Israel. It is definitely shown that he was quarrelsome and rebellious. We
can readily understand that in the days of the captivity and when Israel
started on the long journey into the unknown north, Ephraim would be most
likely to rebel. Many of his tribe would mix with the nations. There were
strong characters among them and they would have accomplished much good if
they had been properly directed. The incident related in the twelfth chapter
of Judges indicates the nature of the Ephraimites. Through their foolishness
and unjust anger they ran the risk of almost utter extinction. The things
Ephraim has suffered during all these ages have been a benefit to him. The
Lord said that in this day "the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim,
wherefore they shall be plucked out." (D.C. 64:36.) Let us hope that all such
rebellion has been eradicated.
Ephraim has a wonderful mission to perform in this day. For one hundred
years he has faithfully been performing his mission. It is proper that he
stand in place at the head, exercising the birthright in Israel. The Gospel is
being preached by Ephraim to the nations. It was essential, therefore, that
Ephraim be the first gathered, for he it is who is to prepare the way for the
other tribes of Israel. We are led to believe, through the teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, that the vast majority of those who have received the
Gospel are of Ephraim. It is an exception to find one of some other tribe. Yet
we do have representatives from other tribes.
Many are the promises made to Ephraim in relation to the part he is to
take in the drama of the present day. One of the striking passages of
scripture pertaining to this drama is found in Jeremiah and is as follows:
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the Mount
Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord
our God.
For thus saith the Lord: Sing with gladness for Jacob, and
shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and
say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold I will bring them from the north country, and gather
them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the
lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child
together: a great company shall return thither.
They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I
lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a
straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to
Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. ch. 31:6-9.
Modern revelation gives us greater light upon the purposes of the Lord in
relation to the gathering of the tribes of Israel and the part to be played by
Ephraim in that gathering. We read:
Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye,
go ye out to meet him.
For behold, he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon
the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the
sea, and upon the land of Zion.
And he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak
from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people;
And it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and
the valleys shall not be found.
He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back
into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land;
And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned
back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in
the days before it was divided.
And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his
people, and shall reign over all flesh.
And they who are in the north countries, shall come in
remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his
voice, and shall no longer stay themselves; and they shall smite the
rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence.
And an highway shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep.
Their enemies shall become a prey unto them.
And in the barren deserts there shall come forth pools of
living water; and the parched ground shall no longer be a thirsty
land.
And they shall bring forth their rich treasure the children of
Ephraim, my servants.
And the boundaries of the everlasting hills shall tremble at
their presence.
And there they shall fall down and be crowned with glory, even
in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children
of Ephraim.
And they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy. D.C.
133:19-53.
Ephraim to Stand in His Birthright at the Head
We learn, then, that when these glorious times shall come the children of
Ephraim shall be "servants" of the Lord. Ephraim shall stand in the full glory
of his birthright at the head, to minister to his fellow tribesmen. What a
glory is his! What honor bestowed upon him now when he is no longer
rebellious! And the Lord adds:
Behold, this is the blessing of the everlasting upon the tribes
of Israel, and the richer blessings upon the head of Ephraim and his
fellows. Ibid., v. 34.
It is Ephraim, today, who holds the Priesthood. It is with Ephraim that
the Lord has made covenant and has revealed the fulness of the everlasting
Gospel. It is Ephraim who is building temples and performing the ordinances in
them for both the living and the dead. When the "lost tribes" come and it
will be a most wonderful sight and a marvelous thing when they do come to Zion
in fulfillment of the promises made through Isaiah and Jeremiah, they will
have to receive the crowning blessings from their brother Ephraim, the
"first-born" in Israel.
Among Latter-day Saints it is well understood, for the Lord has revealed
it, that the American Continent is zion. Many of the predictions made of Zion
could not be fulfilled if the small parcel of ground in Jerusalem by that name
were meant. Zion and Jerusalem are two separate places. The Lord makes of one
the capital for his kingdom for Judah and his fellows. The other is made the
capital for his Kingdom in Zion which is the land of Joseph and his fellows.
These are the holy cities: Jerusalem of old, when it is purified; and Zion,
the New Jerusalem, on this continent. Here Ephraim presides in his birthright,
holding the power of Priesthood for his fellows.
Judah also is to be gathered, but to Jerusalem and Palestine. The tribes
of Israel will come to Zion where they will be crowned and eventually many of
them will find their way back to the land of their inheritance, for so it has
been promised. (See Ether 13:10-11.) When Judah is gathered, and we may be
happy in the knowledge that he is being gathered, he too must receive his
blessings from his brother Ephraim. And the time will come it is near at
hand when all Israel shall be cleansed. The covenants made with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob in days of old, and renewed with Joseph Smith, in the present
day, shall all be fulfilled.
The leaders of our people from the beginning have looked forward to this
great day when Ephraim would be gathered and would stand in his place to crown
the tribes of Israel. In an epistle by the First Presidency in October, 1882,
the following appears:
The invitation is to all, of every nation, kindred and tongue, who will
believe, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the
laying on of hands. Come home; come to the land of Joseph, to the valleys of
Ephraim.
President Brigham Young has also said:
Israel is dispersed among all the nations of the earth; the
blood of Ephraim is mixed with the blood of all the earth. Abraham's
seed is mingled with the rebellious seed through the whole world of
mankind. Discourses p. 669.
We are gathering the children of Abraham who have come through
the loins of Joseph and his sons, more especially through Ephraim,
whose children are mixed among all the nations of the earth. The
sons of Ephraim are wild and uncultivated, unruly, ungovernable. The
spirit in them is turbulent and resolute; they are the Anglo-Saxon
race, and they are upon the face of the whole earth, bearing the
spirit of rule and dictation, to go forth from conquering to
conquer. They search wide creation and scan every nook and corner of
this earth to find out what is upon and within it. I see a
congregation of them before me today. No hardship will discourage
these men; they will penetrate the deepest wilds and overcome almost
insurmountable difficulties to develop the treasures of the earth,
to further their indomitable spirit of adventure. Discourses p.
670.
The Prophet Joseph Smith looked forward to the great day when Israel
would be gathered. He stated at a conference of the Church held in June, 1831,
"that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been
led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return
from their long dispersion." President Young frequently had similar thoughts
in mind and expressed them. Another of his remarks includes the following: "It
is the House of Israel, we are after * * * and it is the very lad on whom
father Jacob laid his hands, that will save the House of Israel. The Book of
Mormon came to Ephraim, for Joseph Smith was a pure Ephraimite."
"It is Ephraim that I have been searching for all the days of my
preaching, and that is the blood which ran in my veins when I embraced the
Gospel. If there are any of the other tribes mixed with the Gentiles we are
also searching for them."
President Young declared that Joseph Smith was a pure Ephraimite. This is
true. Joseph Smith, father of the Prophet, received the birthright in Israel
which he inherited through his fathers back to Ephraim and Joseph and Jacob
and Abraham. For that reason the Patriarchal Priesthood was conferred upon him
with the commandment that it should be handed down from father to son.
The Book of Mormon is the record of Joseph. It contains the history of
the descendants of Joseph in this land, both of Ephraim and of Manasseh. It
was in the hands of Ephraim, as Ezekiel prophesied, when it was given to
Joseph Smith, and it is still in the hands of Ephraim when our missionaries go
forth proclaiming its truths to the world, for they, also, are of Ephraim.
Behold, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from
the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Isaiah 49:12.
The name "Israel" was conferred upon Jacob when the Lord appeared to him
in Padan-aram and blessed him, saying: "Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not
be called any more Jacob, but Israel." The meaning of the name is said to be
"soldier of God," but it could as properly be "servant of God." Through Israel
the promises made to Abraham continued by divine favor, and all the
descendants of Jacob took the name of Israel and were known during their
history as Israelites. Through Israel, the rights of Priesthood remained and
descended from generation to generation.
The reasons for the choosing of a special nation to bear the Priesthood
and be favored with the oracles of truth are many. It is both consistent and
reasonable for the Lord to call such people and bestow upon them special
favors, when all the rest of mankind rejected the word. Through this covenant
people the Lord reserved the right to send into the world a chosen lineage of
faithful spirits who were entitled to special favors based on pre-mortal
obedience. Moreover, the choosing of a special race, and the conferring upon
it of peculiar covenants and obligations, which other nations would not keep,
had the effect of segregating this race from other races. If no special
covenant or peculiar practice had been given to Israel, with the strict
commandment not to mix with other peoples, Israel would have disappeared as a
nation in the course of a very few" years. Even as it was it took years of
training and constant guidance on the part of divinely appointed prophets to
impress upon the people the sacredness of their special call. Moreover, they
had to suffer for the transgression of the law and the breaking of covenants,
be whipped and suffer bondage before they could learn their lesson.
The Ten Tribes were taken by force out of the land the Lord gave to them.
Many of them mixed with the peoples among whom they were scattered. A large
portion, however, departed in one body into the north and disappeared from the
rest of the world. Where they went and where they are, we do not know. That
they are intact we must believe, else how shall the scriptures be fulfilled?
There are too many prophecies concerning them and their return in a body, for
us to ignore this fact. Elder Orson F. Whitney, writing of this said:
It is maintained by some that the lost tribes of Israel
those carried into captivity about 725 B.C. are no longer a
distinct people; that they exist only in a scattered condition,
mixed with the nations among which they were taken by their captors,
the conquering Assyrians. If this be true, and those tribes were not
intact at the time Joseph and Oliver received the keys of the
gathering, why did they make so pointed a reference to "the leading
of the ten tribes from the land of the north?" This, too, after a
general allusion to "the gathering of Israel from the four parts of
the earth." What need to particularize as to the Ten Tribes, if they
were no longer a distinct people? And why do our Articles of Faith
give those tribes a special mention? Saturday Night Thoughts, p.
174.
Attention has already been given to the statement of the Prophet Joseph
Smith that John the Revelator was then (1831) among the Ten Tribes preparing
them for their coming to the children of Ephraim to receive their blessings.
(Essentials in Church History, p. 126.) The keys of the gathering of Israel,
including the return of the Ten Tribes from the north, were given to Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Moses in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836. In
these words Joseph Smith has reported this visitation: "* * * the heavens were
again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the
keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the
leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north."
These lost tribes were in a body somewhere when the Savior visited the
Nephites on this continent. We believe he went to them and established his
Church among them with an organization similar to that given to the Nephites.
They had their prophets and kept a record. This is what the Lord said of them:
Ye (Nephite disciples) are my disciples; and ye are a light
unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.
And behold this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father
hath given it unto you.
And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I
should tell it unto your brethren Jerusalem.
Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I
should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of
Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land.
* * * * *
And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the
Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that
they know not of them.
* * * * *
And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep,
which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem,
neither in any part of that land round about whither I have been to
minister.
For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my
voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
But I have received a commandment of the Father, that I shall
go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be
numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one
shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them. 3 Nephi
15:12-20 and 16:1-3.
Nephi knew of the Lost Tribes for they were made known to him by
revelation, and the Lord said to him:.
For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write
it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write
it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of
Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall
also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of
the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and
the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of
Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the
Nephites and the Jews. 2 Nephi 29:12-13.
Part of this prophecy has been fulfilled in the coming to light of the
Book of Mormon. The time has not yet arrived for the writings of the Lost
Tribes to be made known, but this must shortly come to pass.
The Jews have remained a distinct people from the beginning of their
history. They have been spoken of as the great miracle, bearing evidence of
the divinity of the scriptures. A great miracle they have been and are. Why
have they remained intact and a distinct people while scattered among the
nations? The fact that they have remained a distinct race, maintaining their
customs and religious beliefs, while scattered over all the earth, is evidence
of the truth of prophecy. Because of the displeasure of the Father which came
upon them for rejecting their Redeemer and his Gospel and crying out for the
death of their King, they brought upon themselves the hatred of all people.
But even this hatred would have disappeared, had not Jesus been the Christ,
and had not the hand of the Almighty been heavy upon them. It has not been the
Christians alone who have refused to associate with them in the past, and who
have persecuted them. They have been most surely a his and a by-word among the
nations. Their strict adherence to the Jewish law, as it has been interpreted
by the letterbound Rabbis, and the indoctrinated idea that they, and they
alone, are the chosen people of God, have been main factors in their continued
segregation. It must be admitted that the Jews as a people stand out as one of
the greatest evidences in proof of the covenants made by the Lord with Father
Abraham. And, then, it is the will of the Lord that they should be kept
separate, and so shall they be found at the second coming of our Lord. If
these things were not so, and if Jesus were not the Christ, whom the Jews
condemned, crying: "His blood be on us and on our children," they would have
passed out of the picture as a distinct race centuries ago. They are today a
standing miracle in their scattered condition, silently testifying to the
covenant to Israel and of the divinity of Jesus Christ, yet, themselves, not
believing in him.
A better day is dawning for the Jew and for the Lamanite. The time is now
at hand spoken by ancient prophets when the Lord shall feel after them. The
words of Isaiah are now being fulfilled:
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall
stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek;
and his rest shall be glorious.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set
his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people,
which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros,
and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and
from the islands of the sea.
And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the
outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four
corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:10-12.
Since the British mandate has been established in Palestine, the Jews are
returning. The curse has been taken off the land and before many years have
passed away they will again be worthy to enter into covenant with the Lord.
The purposes of the Father are being filled rapidly and in the near future
great events shall take place in relation to the fulfillment of these promises
made to Judah and Ephraim, in which the Lamanite on this Land shall also be
considered.
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,
and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of
the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:6.
By the name Gentile is meant all those who are not Israelites and who are
outside of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The name
originally had reference to the descendants of Japheth. (Gen. 10:5.) It is
used frequently in the scriptures in reference to the nations not of Israel.
Since the covenant made with Abraham was to continue through Isaac and Jacob
and the twelve tribes of Israel, the Gentile nations are under the necessity
of receiving their blessings in the Gospel through that chosen lineage. How
these blessings are obtained has been shown in earlier lessons. Let it not be
forgotten, however, that in Asia others not of Israel held the Priesthood in
early times, and after Israel became a nation. However, so far as we know none
of these were pure Gentiles, but all were descendants of Abraham through some
branch other than that of Jacob. We have bad occasion to refer to Midian and
the Midianites, to which people Jethro belonged. Jethro ordained Moses and
there was close affiliation between Moses and his father-in-law while Israel
was in the wilderness. We know nothing definite of Job and his nationality.
All that has been written of Job partakes more or less of speculation and
there are some who even suggest that he is only a character of fiction; but
such a thought cannot be maintained. As time went on it seems clear that all
vestige of Priesthood disappeared from other peoples, and even the Israelites
proved unworthy of their blessings during a great part of the time.
Nevertheless they were the chosen people of the Lord and while he was forced
to punish them, he has never forgotten the covenants he made with their
fathers.
Israel was chosen by the Lord and it is through that lineage that the
blessings of the Gospel come, yet we must not fall into the error which
prevailed among the Jews at the time of the Savior in thinking that no other
people can be blessed of the Lord. All men are his off spring and therefore
he is interested in all nations on the earth. It is logical to conclude that
the Lord would have given Priesthood and the plan of salvation to the Gentiles
even in the days of Abraham when the covenant of the Gospel was made with him,
had they been willing to receive them. All of the descendants of Noah were
directed in the light of the Gospel, but the majority of them rejected it. We
can imagine them saying as the people said to Enoch and his predecessors "Who
is the Lord that we should know him?" For this reason they were left without
divine guidance, and a chosen race was appointed to be the favored of the
Lord. Even in the blessing given to Abraham we discover the truth that the
Father had not forsaken him. He said to Abraham: "And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed."
For this purpose, which we see in the dispersion of Israel, many of the
descendants of Jacob were led away from time to time to various parts of the
earth. Because of transgression many went into captivity, and, at those early
days, before they had become firmly impregnated with the teachings of their
prophets, or fully understood that they were a people separate from the world,
they saw no harm in mixing with other peoples. While much of this scattering
was meted out to them as a punishment, yet the Lord turned it to the salvation
of the Gentile nations. The scattering of Israel among the nations began
almost as early as their national existence. It is a well known fact that some
of the Greek tribes claimed kinship with Israel. Joel wrote about eight
hundred years B. C. of Tyre and Sidon:
The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have
ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their
border. Joel 3:6.
Elder George Reynolds in his valuable little work, "Are We of Israel,"
says:
It is also a remarkable fact that a few hundred years after
Joel had delivered his message of condemnation to Tyre and Sidon,
that the people of one of these Grecian states, the Lacedemonians,
or Spartans, claimed relationship with Israel as children of
Abraham, and had their claim allowed and still more remarkable in
the light of poetical justice, that those Lacedemonians were the
ones used by Alexander the Great in the destruction of Tyre, and in
fulfillment of the words of the Lord through Joel: "Behold, I will
raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will
return your recompense upon your own head." Joel 3:7.
In this and many other ways was Israel scattered. Dan dwelt in ships.
Some of the Israelites traversed the seas. Colonies were transplanted and the
homes of other peoples became the homes of Israelites from whence they never
returned.
The Savior in his ministry went only to the house of Israel. He said he
was not sent to the Gentiles and therefore did not minister to them in any
special manner. It was only occasionally when some individual Gentile showed
great faith that the Lord gave attention to him. After his resurrection the
Lord commissioned his apostles to go into all the world and preach the Gospel
to every creature. There were to be no exceptions, all were to have the
privilege of receiving it. At first the apostles failed to comprehend the
significance of the meaning of the Lord. It took a special manifestation to
Peter to convince him that Cornelius was entitled to the blessings of the
Church. When others of the Gentiles came in, some among the Jews who belonged
to the Church questioned the propriety of admitting them, and desired to make
the Gentile converts conform to Jewish custom which had been ended in the
mission of Jesus Christ.
The Jewish Christians were within their rights in the beginning in taking
the message first to the Jews, for so it had been promised. The Gospel was
then taken to the Gentiles. In this present dispensation it is to go first to
the Gentiles and then to the Jews. The first are now last, according to the
prophecy in the scriptures. 1 Nephi 13:42.
Let us also remember that we are of the Gentiles! By this I mean that the
Latter-day Saints have come to their blessings through the Gentile nations.
President Brigham Young as has been mentioned, said that Joseph Smith was a
pure Ephraimite. This is true; yet Joseph Smith came also of Gentile lineage.
So do most all members of the Church. We may boast of our lineage, and rejoice
in the fact that patriarchs have declared us to be of Ephraim, but at the same
time let us not despise the Gentiles, for we are also of them. If it were not
so the scriptures would not be fulfilled.
We find the following in the writings of Nephi:
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 the 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
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. 1 Nephi 15:13-14.
Moroni writing to the Gentiles also said:
And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise
that these things should come unto their brethren through the
Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus
Christ. Ether 12:22.
This doctrine is taught in the Book of Mormon and Lehi's explanation of
the grafting in of the branches and Jacob's fuller an more interesting parable
of the tame olive tree, give to us a very clear understanding of the dealing
of the Lord with Israel and the Gentiles. Moreover, the mercies of the Lord to
all people are forcefully shown in these excellent writings of the Nephite
prophets.
Today the Gospel Standard is raised by Ephraim who has been gathered from
the Gentiles and the scattered Israelites among the Gentiles have rallied unto
it. The time has come when this same light shall go to the remnant on this
land and to scattered Judah, that they too may have the privilege of being
gathered into the fold.
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. 3 Nephi
16:13.
Nearly four and a half centuries ago, a bold, venturesome navigator
sailed from the port of Palos, Spain, with three small vessels having their
prows pointed toward the setting sun. He thought he was prompted by the hope
that he might find a shorter route to India, for he believed the earth to be
round. The real influence which urged him on was the Spirit of the Lord, for
the time had come for the land of Joseph, or the land of Zion as it was called
in the Bible, to be made known to the Gentile world. Nevertheless this was a
bold, daring thing for Christopher Columbus to do, for the people of this
time, groping in spiritual darkness, believed the earth to be flat and the
center of the universe. It was well known to ancient prophets that the earth
is a planet revolving around the sun (Abraham 1:31; Helaman 12:15), but this
knowledge had been lost to man because of transgression. After sailing many
days, instead of finding India, Columbus discovered the land of Zion with its
strange inhabitants, the degenerate descendants of the prophet Lehi. When the
eastern world learned of the new world in the west many other Gentiles set out
upon the great waters and eventually multitudes of Gentiles were settled upon
the land.
All of this had been foretold; it was not a matter of chance. The set
time of the Lord had come to favor the Gentiles. The coming of Columbus was
only one incident in the preparation for the coming forth of the everlasting
Gospel. Multitudes of Gentiles upon the land had been predicted by prophets
from the beginning. Nearly six hundred years before the birth of Christ,
Nephi, traveling with his father's family in the wilderness of Arabia towards
the land of Zion, saw all this in vision, and much more, even down to the end
of time. It was made known to him that his descendants and the descendants of
his older brethren, would divide and form two nations which would be at war
with each other. He saw the time of the coming of Christ and his ministry with
his apostles, also that after his resurrection he would visit the inhabitants
of this land and give them the fulness of the Gospel. In sadness he saw the
utter destruction of his own people for rebellion, and the Lamanites scattered
over the face of all the land, living in darkness without a ray of divine
light, for the wrath of God was upon them As he beheld them in vision, Nephi
wrote:
And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Behold the
wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren.
And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was
separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I
beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the
man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of
my brethren, who were in the promised land.
And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it
wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of captivity,
upon the many waters.
And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the
Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God,
that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered
before the Gentiles and were smitten.
And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the
Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their
inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceeding fair
and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain. 1
Nephi 13:11-15.
Nephi saw that great promises were made to the Gentiles upon this land,
and that the Lord had a marvelous work for them to do in bringing forth the
fulness of the Gospel and taking it to the seed of his brethren. The promise
was made that after the Gentiles had scattered the Lamanites and had
ill-treated them, the time would come when they would become nursing fathers
unto them, and not only unto them but unto others of the scattered house of
Israel. It was reserved for the Gentiles to gather the remnant of Israel, and
to give them the blessings of the Gospel. It was written that the time would
come when the Lord would make his truth manifest to all nations, "both unto
the Jews and also unto the Gentiles," and after he had manifested himself unto
the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he would manifest himself unto the
Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last should be first, and the first
should be last. All of this has been fulfilled according to the promise.
"And it shall come to pass," said the Lord to Nephi, "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 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 unto
captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded." 1 Nephi
14:1-2.
When Moroni was about to hide up the abridgment of the Book of Mormon he
prophesied that it would come forth to the convincing of both Jew and Gentile
and to show the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord has
done for their fathers, and it was to come forth in the due time of the Lord,
"by way of the Gentile" and the "interpretation thereof by the gift of God."
Nephi in explaining his vision said that the "book of the Lamb of God, which
had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew," should come forth from the
Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of his brethren. (1 Nephi 13:38-40.)
Moreover, the Savior himself, when he came to the Nephites, informed them that
when the Gospel should be revealed in the last days, and should come to the
house of Israel, it would come from the Gentiles. These are his words:
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 shall not know 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.
And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the
earth: and then will I fulfill the covenant which the Father hath
made unto all the people of the house of Israel.
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.
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. 3 Nephi 16:4-7.
From these quotations and many other predictions in the Book of Mormon,
we discover that great are the promises made to the believing Gentiles on the
land of Zion. Let it be remembered, however, that these blessings are not
promised to the unbelieving Gentiles. The Lord spoke through Jacob, brother of
Nephi, and said that he would make this land the inheritance of the Gentiles
upon it. "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." (2 Nephi 10:11-12.)
Such are the wonderful promises made to the nations of Gentiles who dwell on
the land given to Joseph for his inheritance, and the Gentiles are to be
numbered with the children of Joseph, if they will receive the Gospel. 1
Nephi 14:2.
Until now the Lord has protected the Gentiles upon this land. He has
fulfilled his word and has fortified this land against all other nations, and
has made it a land of liberty unto the Gentiles. As long as they are willing
to be humble and try to do right, these blessings will follow. When the time
comes that they refuse to serve Jesus Christ, then all divine protection will
be withdrawn from them. The unrighteous need not suppose that they have any
claim on the promises of protection given of the Lord to the faithful. Said
the angel to Nephi:
Thou has beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well
with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the
Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso
repenteth not must perish.
Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden
their hearts against the Lamb of God.
For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a
great and 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 unto destruction, both temporally and
spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I
have spoken. 1 Nephi 14:5-7.
These promises are given to the Gentiles on this land and they may assist
in the building of Zion and the temple, and share in all the blessings of the
house of Israel. It has been their privilege to be honored and blessed in that
they have been nursing fathers to the remnant of the Lamanites, and they have
been blessed with the Priesthood and with the privilege of organizing the
Church in preparation for the return of all Israel. True it is, that these who
have accomplished this, who are of the Gentiles, are also descendants of
Israel through Ephraim. By virtue of their descent they have been entitled to
these blessings; but others shall receive them, who may not be of Israel's
blood, if they will only accept the promises made by the Lord to the Gentiles
on this land. If they refuse, then when they are "lifted up in the pride of
their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth,"
the Lord will cut them off and will take the Gospel from them, and it shall go
to the covenant people of the house of Israel. (3 Nephi 16:10-11.) Then the
Lord will remember the covenants he made, through Isaiah, with their fathers:
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together
shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall
bring again Zion.
Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of
Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed
Jerusalem.
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all
nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of
God. 3 Nephi 16:18-20.
The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is
to seek after our dead. Joseph Smith
The responsibilities of Latter-day Saints are many. There are
responsibilities which are given to them collectively, or to the Church; and
there are responsibilities given to them individually. Perhaps the greatest
responsibility given to the Church, and required principally of the men
holding the Priesthood, is to proclaim the Gospel message in all the world.
There are many other responsibilities which belong to the collective body of
worshipers known as the Church, but it is of the individual responsibilities
that we desire to speak.
Membership in the Church is not for the idler. He who seeks an easy road
to salvation must go elsewhere, it is not to be obtained in the Church. True,
there is nothing difficult or hard to do in the Church. The Lord said:
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you; and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt. 11:
28-30.
When a man confesses that it is hard to keep the commandments of the
Lord, he is making a sad confession that he is a violator of the Gospel
law. Habits are easily formed. It is just as easy to form good habits as it is
to form evil ones. Of course it is not easy to tell the truth, if you have
been a confirmed liar. It is not easy to be honest, if you have formed habits
of dishonesty. A man finds it very difficult to pray, if he has never prayed.
On the other side, when a man has always been truthful, it is a hard thing for
him to lie. If he has always been honest and he does some dishonest thing, his
conscience protests very loudly. He will find no peace, except in repentance.
If a man has the spirit of prayer, he delights in prayer. It is easy for him
to approach the Lord with assurance that his petition will be answered. The
paying of tithing is not hard for the man, fully converted to the Gospel, who
pays his tenth on all that he receives. So we see the Lord has given us a
great truth his yoke is easy, his burden is light if we love to do his
will!
Among the many responsibilities placed upon the members of the Church the
most important are these:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all
thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou
shalt serve him.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. D.C. 59: 5-6.
The Father does not intended that the members of the Church shall sit
down and wait for the kingdom of God! He has said:
Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the
bread nor wear the garments of the laborer. D.C. 42:42.
Let every man be diligent in all things. And the idler shall
not have place in the church, except he repent and mend his ways.
ibid. 75:29.
We discover in these commandments that being idle does not simply mean
that we are not willing to perform manual labor to work by the sweat of the
brow but the idler is also the man who is not diligent in the performance
of his obligations, or responsibilities. "Therefore, O ye that embark in the
service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and
strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." If we serve
him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, we will have plenty to do.
The Father asks nothing inconsistent with reason, but that which is in harmony
with his law, and which he himself obeys. Can you imagine our Eternal Father
and Savior doing nothing? Was not the Savior kept very busy in his ministry?
"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." Is this not
true? Some night when the sky is clear take a look at the heavens; then
consider the countless millions of worlds that you cannot see. Then remember
the Lord said of them: "And worlds without number have I created; and I also
created them for mine own purpose." What is that purpose? "To bring to pass
the immortality and eternal life of man!"
So we see that the great work of the Father, for of the Son, is not for
self alone. They work, as they have worked hitherto, for the benefit of man.
When a man joins the Church it is on the principle of faith in the Father and
in the Son and in the Holy Ghost. It is on the principle that he accepts all
that pertains to the Gospel. There are certain well defined laws, or
ordinances as we call them, and regulations which have been decreed from
before the foundation of the world, which he must receive. These requirements
are made of all men who seek repentance and a place in the kingdom of God. It
is required of every man that he fully repent, be baptized for the remission
of sins, have hands laid on his head for the gift of the Holy Ghost and for
entrance into the Church. If a man tries to get in by some other way he is
classed as a thief and a robber. Why? Because he is trying to obtain eternal
life by fraud! He is trying to obtain a reward of exaltation by counterfeit
coin, and this cannot be done.
Since the requirement of obedience to the Gospel ordinances is made of
all men, and since they cannot enter into the kingdom without complying with
the law the Lord has given, a work must be done in behalf of those who have
died without a knowledge of the Gospel and its requirements, and who never had
the opportunity of repentance and remission of sins. Since our Savior came
into the world to teach us love for each other, and as that great lesson was
made manifest through his great suffering and death that we might live, should
we not express our love for our fellow men by service rendered in their
behalf? In other words, if the Savior was willing to come into this world,
suffer, bleed and die, that he might bring to us redemption from the grave,
and salvation from sin on conditions of our repentance, should we not be
willing to show similar love for those who are unable to help themselves?
Should we not show our appreciation for the infinite service he rendered us,
by giving service in his cause? The man who does only those things in the
Church which concern himself alone, will never reach exaltation. For instance,
the man who is willing to pray, to pay his tithes and offerings, and to attend
to the ordinary duties which concern his own personal life and nothing more,
will never reach the goal of perfection. Service must be given in behalf of
others. We must extend the helping hand to the unfortunate, to those who have
not heard the truth and are in spiritual darkness, to the needy and oppressed.
But greater than all this, so far as our individual responsibilities are
concerned, the greatest is to become saviors, in our lesser degree which is
assigned us, for the dead who have died without a knowledge of the Gospel,
Joseph Smith said: "The greatest responsibility in this world that God has
laid upon us, is to seek after our dead." Why is this such a great
responsibility? For two reasons. First, because we cannot enter into the
perfect life without our worthy dead who have not been blessed as we have with
the Gospel. Second, because they who have lived worthy lives, but in darkness,
because the Gospel did not come to them in life, are also heirs of salvation.
The reasons for this will appear later. It will suffice here to say that the
Lord has placed upon us this responsibility of seeing that our dead receive
the blessings of the Gospel. Said Joseph Smith: "Those saints who neglect it,
in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own
salvation."
Let us think of the words of the poet:
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad,
And made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
* * * * *
'Tis noble of man to work and to give,
Love's labor has merit alone;
Only he who does something
Is worthy to live,
The world has no use for the drone.
Then wake up, and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above;
Doing good is a pleasure,
A joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.
Will L. Thompson.
Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the
prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the
fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.
If it were not so, the whole earth would he utterly wasted at his coming.
D.C. 2.
The foregoing quotation is the interpretation placed on the prophecy of
Malachi by Moroni when he visited Joseph Smith, September 21, 1823. This
reading is much clearer than the translation in the Bible. It is doubtful if
there can & found another prophetic utterance that has caused more comment,
and over which greater lack of comprehension has been shown by commentators,
than this revelation by Malachi concerning the coming of Elijah. To most Bible
students Elijah appears as an enigma, or a mysterious prophet, who hardly
belonged to this world even in his ministry. He is honored in the legends of
the Mohammedans and the Jews. By the former he is confounded in legend with El
Rhudr, a mysterious wanderer who remains in perpetual youth, having partaken
of the water of life. By the Jew he is also regarded as a man of mystery, and
a prophet second to none in history.
Elijah lived about nine hundred years B. C., in the reign of the wicked
Ahab of Israel. The history we have of him is very meager, being covered by a
few pages of the scriptures. So far as our record tells he appeared rather
suddenly, and seemingly only mingled with the people when the Lord sent him
with a special message, usually to the wicked king. This rather strange
procedure, as we gather it from the history, coupled with his sudden
translation in a chariot of fire, has led most commentators to look upon him
as super-natural, like a being from some other world. There is nothing
mysterious about Elijah. He was born into the world as other men. His sudden
appearance with a message of condemnation to the king and then his sudden
flight, are readily accounted for in the fact that his life was in constant
danger. He was threatened by the king and even with greater hate and
vindictiveness by the still more wicked queen in Israel. It was the part of
wisdom as well as of discretion, for Elijah to show caution, and not expose
himself too readily to these dangers. Yet, when occasion required it and the
Lord sent him with his word to Ahab or the people, Elijah never hesitated.
He is usually spoken of as "Elijah the prophet," with some emphasis on
the definite article, as though he was outstanding and different from other
prophets. Seldom is his name mentioned without the title, yet we have no
outstanding prophecy from his lips. He did prophesy but his words so spoken
were usually of a local nature and had to do with his own times. We have no
remarkable utterance such as we have been given by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel
and others, but as a prophet there has been none greater. What, then,
constitutes the qualifications of a prophet? The generally accepted view is
that a prophet is one who foretells events; who, under the spirit of
inspiration, predicts the future. This is only one qualification of a prophet
and does not cover all that a prophet is. There are other qualifications just
as essential as that of revealing things to come which a prophet must possess.
John the Baptist, the Savior said, was one of the greatest prophets, in fact
there are none greater, yet John was not given to predicting future events,
except the coming of Jesus, and Jesus was even then at hand.
Melchizedek was a great prophet, and due to incorrect translation of the
scriptures has been considered as much a character of mystery as Elijah. In
fact comparison has frequently been made between them. We have no record of
the birth and parentage of Elijah, and the Bible with its faulty translation
makes it appear that Melchizedek was without father or mother, but this saying
has reference to his Priesthood and not to the man. Melchizedek was a great
prophet, and the Priesthood was called by his name because he magnified it,
yet we have no saying of his. He may have predicted many things, if so we do
not have them. Even if he made no prediction he was a prophet. Elijah was one
of the greatest of prophets, not so much for what he may have predicted, but
because of the power and authority which he possessed.
A prophet is one who has the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; one who can
testify from revelation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is one who is
faithful in that knowledge and one who magnifies the authority placed upon
him. The world at large has a peculiar idea of prophets. They are regarded as
strange men with peculiar habits usually with long flowing beards and dressed
in strange garb. They speak of the "garb of the prophet" as if it would be out
of place for one who holds the prophetic office to appear like other men. When
strangers called to see Joseph Smith they frequently expected to see a
character of this kind. When they discovered him looking and dressing as other
men, and occasionally engaging in some sport event with the boys and young men
of the community, they went away disgusted. This feeling led Joseph Smith at
times to do things that he would not otherwise have done, such as challenging
his visitors to jump at a mark, or to engage in some other sport, which
usually increased their feeling that he was an impostor, but this was done by
him in the spirit of contempt for their hypocrisy.
Every man who can say knowingly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and
the Savior of men, is a prophet. This knowledge comes only through the
testimony of the Holy Spirit. Men may believe Jesus to be the Christ, but to
know it requires revelation from the Holy Ghost. When John, in vision, was
about to fall down and pay homage to an angel, the latter said to him: "See
thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have
testimony of Jesus: Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy." (Rev. 19:10.) Every man, therefore, who has the guidance of the
Holy Ghost and magnifies his Priesthood, is a prophet.
The reason Elijah is known as "the prophet" and the one who was to
restore the keys of the Priesthood to save the world from utter ruin, is
because he not only magnified his Priesthood, but because of the magnitude of
the authority placed upon him. He held the keys of sealing Power. This
authority gave him power to close the heavens that it did not rain except by
his command. He had authority to call down fire from heaven and destroy the
false priests of Baal. For this act he has been roundly criticized by the
ignorant who fail to comprehend that he could do nothing except the Lord was
with him; therefore what he did was done in righteousness and found approval
in the heavens. Moreover, Elijah was clothed with the fulness of Priesthood
and by this authority all things done in the name of the Lord are made valid.
Without it, nothing would be complete. It is the power by which a man and a
woman are united for time and for all eternity in the temple. By this
authority parents have claim upon their children who are born under the
everlasting covenant. The family through the power of the sealing, is made
perpetual, that is to say, it will continue beyond the grave. It is by this
authority that generation is linked to generation in one grand whole, from the
days of Adam to the end of time, composed of all those who are entitled,
through their faithfulness to exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God.
Joseph Smith said of Elijah and his authority:
The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power
to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and
endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the
kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all
the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the
turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the
hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in
heaven. D.H.C. 6:251.
And he said:
What is the office and work of Elijah? It is one of the
greatest and most important subject that God has revealed. He should
send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to
the children. Now, was this merely confined to the living, to settle
difficulties with families on earth? By no means. It was a far
greater work. Elijah! What would you do if you were here? Would you
confine your work to the living alone? No; I would refer you to the
Scriptures, where the subject is manifest; that is, without us, they
could not be made perfect, nor we without them; the fathers without
the children, nor the children without the fathers. Ibid. 25
1-252.
And would you confine this work to the dead? No; because you people who
are living require these sealing powers bestowed upon you. They are just as
essential for you as they are for those who are dead; and don't get the idea
that Elijah's mission was a mission confined to or for the dead. His mission
was universal.
The reason Elijah came with this authority is explained by Joseph Smith
as being because
Elijah was the last prophet that held the keys of the
Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the
authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all
the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness * * * Why send
Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to administer in
all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the authority is
given, the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness.
Ibid. 4:211.
It is held by some that Elijah came with these keys because he held some
peculiar position standing between the living and the dead due to the fact
that he was translated. But when Elijah came to Joseph Smith it was with a
resurrected body, for he was with Christ in his resurrection. It was not
because Elijah held peculiar keys which applied to the dead, that he was sent,
but because, as explained by Joseph Smith the Prophet, the ordinances of the
Gospel would not be valid unless there was on the earth the sealing power
which Elijah held to bind these ordinances in the heavens.
There was no work done for the dead in the days of Elijah, nor in those
of any of the other ancient prophets. This work could not be performed until
after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who opened the door to those who were
bound. The Savior first took the message of salvation to the dead, and after
his resurrection the blessings of the Gospel were extended to the dead as well
as to the living for it was the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ
that made this possible. When, therefore, the keys of the sealing power which
Elijah brought to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were delivered, power was
given to extend this authority to all who now live on the earth, and to all
who have lived in the past who will repent and receive the Gospel.
This great authority makes it possible for all the ordinances of the
Gospel to be administered in power, and were they not here, in the language of
Joseph Smith, "the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness."
Therefore, the restoration of this Priesthood saves the earth from being
wasted and the work of the Lord from destruction, and gives to all men who
will receive the fulness of truth and endure in faith to the end, a place of
exaltation in the kingdom of God.
* * * and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it
were not so, the whole earth would he utterly wasted at his corning. D.C.
2.
It was on the third day of April, 1836, that the prophecy of Malachi in
relation to the coming of Elijah was fulfilled. On that day, which was the
time of the Passover among the Jews, the Prophet Elijah appeared in the
kirtland Temple and gave to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the keys of his
Priesthood. This authority the power to seal on earth and make valid all
the ordinances pertaining to exaltation, especially those which belong to the
Temple of the Lord brought in closer relationship than ever before since
the beginning of time the fathers who are dead and the children who are
living.
We are given to understand that when a man dies who holds the Priesthood
his labors do not end, but he goes into the world of spirits there to continue
preaching the Gospel among the dead who have not received it. We have been
taught that the dead, who have not been baptized and therefore do not have the
blessings of the Gospel, are denied certain privileges; this denial is spoken
of as being in the "prison house." They cannot receive that which those who
have obtained the blessings of the Gospel receive, because of the decrees of
God pertaining to his kingdom and the privileges thereof. After the death of
Jesus Christ, and before his resurrection, his spirit went to the world of
spirits where he introduced the Gospel and proclaimed liberty to those who
were in darkness. Peter in speaking of this important event has said:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the
fresh, but quickened by the Spirit;
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering
of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,
wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Peter
3:18-20.
Later in the same epistle Peter gave further light on this visit to the
spirits and explained the reason for it in these words:
For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are
dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but
live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6.
We may well believe that the visit of the Savior to the spirit world was
not merely to preach to the disobedient spirits who rejected the message of
Noah, but that he might proclaim liberty to all who were bound. In fact, all
the spirits of men were held captive until that time, for there had been no
resurrection from the dead. Christ was and is the resurrection and the life
and therefore he could give this blessing a all men after his own resurrection
from the dead. In the vision given to President Joseph F. Smith, October 3,
1918, further light was revealed concerning the mission of our Lord to the
dead. From this important information we learn that when the Savior visited
the dead he called to him the spirits of the righteous, and after teaching
them, commissioned them to take the message of salvation and carry it forth to
all the dead, that all might know that the power of redemption had come to
them. Since that time missionary work, or the preaching of the Gospel, has
been a part of the plan of redemption among the dead. In the way, all who have
died without a knowledge of Jesus Christ or his Gospel have the privilege of
hearing it. Those who repent and receive it in that world of spirits, become
heirs of salvation. In this way the mercy and justice of our heavenly Father
are made manifest in be- half of all his children. Before the crucifixion of
the Lord there was a great gulf fixed separating the righteous dead from those
who had not received the Gospel, and across this gulf no man could pass. (Luke
16:26.) Christ bridged that gulf and made it possible for the word of
salvation to be taken to all corners of the kingdom of darkness. In this way
the realms of hell were invaded and the dead prepared for the ordinances of
the Gospel which must be performed on earth since they pertain to the mortal
probation.
It is the mission of the living the children of these fathers who are
dead to prepare the necessary information and go into the temples of the
Lord and there act vicariously as saviors for their dead, giving unto them all
the blessings which pertain to the Gospel and exaltation which they have
received for themselves. The Lord has granted to the children this great
privilege, they may act vicariously for their dead, performing all the rights
and privileges which belong to the Gospel for the dead, and if the dead
receive it, then it is accounted unto them as though they had attended to
these matters in person. What a wonderful privilege this is to labor for the
dead! Nor is it altogether an unselfish work, for is it not a fact that we who
are living also reap the benefits of such labor? We without our worthy dead
cannot enter into perfection, therefore it behooves us to perform these
ordinances for our ancestors who have gone on without these privileges. In
this way both we and they are blessed.
What evidence have we that the hearts of the children have turned towards
their fathers and the words of Malachi are fulfilled? One of the strongest
evidences of the truth of these words, and of the divine commission given to
Joseph Smith, is found in the fulfillment of this prophecy. If Joseph Smith
and Oliver Cowdery had spoken a falsehood when they said Elijah came to them,
then the hearts of the children would not have turned towards their fathers.
No one else has claimed that Elijah committed these keys to him. This prophecy
must be fulfilled. If it was not fulfilled in the manner declared by Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery, then the earth is in danger of being smitten with a
curse. The signs of the times indicate that the time of Elijah's coming is
past. Therefore, we should give careful heed to the statement of these two
men.
There is remarkable and overwhelming evidence, however, that they did
speak the truth, for since that day the hearts of the children have turned to
their fathers in all parts of the earth. The hearts of the children were not
turned to the fathers before the Proclamation by Joseph and Oliver. If we can
show that the hearts of the children have turned since that time, then we can
present evidence that is worthy of most serious consideration.
First it must be understood that the turning of the hearts of the
children to the fathers is the seeking of the children after the interests of
their dead. It will be conceded that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had no
power in their day over the people of the world who did not accept their
mission. This being true, then they had no power in themselves to make the
people of the world who did not believe in them, turn their thoughts towards
their dead. That the hearts of the children have been so turned, none can
dispute; moreover, that the turning has been since the year 1836, is readily
shown.
Mr. Franklin P. Rice, in charge of the "Systematic History Fund" in a
letter to the author, and now in his possession said:
Thirty-five years ago the interest in such matters (i.e.,
seeking the records of the dead,) was mainly antiquarian, and the
few examples in print in this line had been inspired from that
standpoint. Genealogical research was not the powerful factor it is
today. As the idea expanded and developed, I came to regard the work
chiefly in its practical and scientific aspects, and I applied the
system, "Systematic History" as the best explaining its purpose to
meet the necessities of all enquirers and investigators. I
formulated a plan sometime before 1890 to require towns in
Massachusetts to print their records, but this met with little
favor. Its substantial features are embodied in the Act of 1902.
This was written over twenty-five years ago by a practical and trained
genealogist. It is well to know in this connection that in 1836 there were no
genealogical societies in this land or in Europe. Save for the keeping of
pedigrees of royal and noble families, very little attention was being paid to
the records of the dead in any Christian country. The first organized effort
to collect and file genealogies of the common people was made shortly after
the coming of Elijah. This was the formation of The New England Historic and
Genealogical Society. In 1844, this society was incorporated. Its chief
purpose is to gather and publish data in relation to American Families. The
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, was incorporated in 1869. The
Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, The Maine Genealogical Society, together
with other like societies in Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode
Island, Connecticut and most of the other states of the Union, have all been
organized since 1836. A great many societies have also been organized in Great
Britain and on the continent of Europe, but all of them since the keys of the
Priesthood were returned to the earth which planted in the hearts of the
children the promises made to their fathers. Thousands of individual
researchers are constantly at work today compiling records of their dead. They
may not know what it is that impels them to perform this exacting and
scientific labor, but the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints understand it. It is because their hearts have turned to their fathers.
This is so because the spirit of the Lord has prompted them, due to the fact
that the keys of the sealing power of the Priesthood which Elijah held have I
been committed unto man. Those keys are here. They are the keys be taken away
which of course cannot be now this great work of research would be
hampered if it did not entirely stop.
But the gathering of the records of the dead does not constitute all the
evidence that Elijah has come and the hearts of the children are turned to the
fathers. Nor does it indicate the most important phase of his great work. The
compiling of records would avail us nothing if something were not being done
with the names. The hearts of thousands of Latter-day Saints have also turned
towards their dead and these faithful members are going to the house of the
Lord where they are offering their services vicariously and thus becoming
saviors on Mount Zion and are making it possible for the fathers who have
received the Gospel in the world of spirits to be released from the bondage of
sin and death.
Do not slacken in this work. Our responsibility is great, and we owe it
to the dead. The justice of God has decreed that all shall hear the Gospel;
all shall be made acquainted with the mission of Jesus Christ; all who are
willing to receive him and his truth shall be heirs of his Father's kingdom
where he and the Father dwell. Every man shall be judged according to his
works, and according to his opportunities to receive the truth, and judgment
shall be based on the desires of the hearts of men as those desires have been
made manifest through their works.
Let us, therefore, as a Church and as a people, and as
Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness;
and let us present in his holy temple * * * a book containing the
records of our dead which shall be worthy of all acceptation.
Joseph Smith.
And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises Made to the
fathers. D.C. 2:2.
In this prophecy we discover that promises were made to the fathers that
their children should do something for them which they could not do for
themselves. Now it is a well understood principle that the Lord does not do
for man what man can do for himself; but he has done for man all that pertains
to man's salvation which man cannot do for himself. For this reason our
Redeemer came into the world and died that we might live. He took upon himself
the responsibility of redeeming us from the power of death without any act on
our part. On condition of our repentance he took upon himself our sins and
atoned for them. These two things Jesus did because we could not free
ourselves from either by any act of our own. We would all be subject to death
forever if we had not been redeemed through his atonement. Every man will have
to answer for his own transgressions if he will not receive the Gospel and
accept the mission of Jesus Christ, for the Lord said:
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that
they might not suffer if they would repent;
But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all,
to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to
suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the
bitter cup, and shrink
Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and
finished my preparations unto the children of men. D.C. 19:16-19.
All that we can do for ourselves we are required to do. We must do our
own repenting; we are required to obey every commandment and live by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God. If we will do this, then we are
freed from the consequences of our own sins. The plan of salvation is based on
this foundation. No man can be saved without complying with these laws.
"Behold, mine house is a house of order, and not a house of confusion,"
said the Lord. Gospel ordinances cannot be changed. Baptism is an everlasting
covenant. The Lord pronounced it so in these words: "This is a new and an
everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning." (D.C. 22:1.)
When Nicodemus came to the Savior inquiring concerning the kingdom, the Savior
said: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of God;" and in a revelation given to the Church at the time of its
organization this matter was made most emphatic so that none would
misunderstand, in these words:
But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual
and devilish, and became fallen man.
Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only begotten Son, as it
is written in those scriptures which have been given of him. * * *
That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name,
and endure in faith to the end, should be saved
Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian f
time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many
as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy
prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy
Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal
life. * * *
And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of
Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in
faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom
of God. D.C. 20:20-29.
When the Lord commissioned his disciples after his resurrection he said
they were to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned." This is the eternal law! From these sayings we learn that
baptism is the door into the celestial kingdom. Without complying with this
ordinance, and the ordinance of laying on of hands, by which the gift of the
Holy Ghost is given, no man can enter the celestial kingdom where the Father
and the Son dwell. Such is the unalterable decree confirmed in the heavens and
made mandatory on the earth.
All the principles of the Gospel are eternal. The plan of salvation was
given to Adam and he taught it to his children. Adam was baptized and received
the gift of the Holy Ghost. So were all those who accepted the Gospel in the
beginning. Faith in God the Father and in his Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy
Ghost, is also a celestial law. Men had to repent and be baptized in all ages
when the Gospel was among them, if they sought favor in the presence of God.
There are other principles and ordinances also which pertain to exaltation.
Among these we have the endowment in the temple, the sealing of husbands and
wives for time and for eternity, and the sealing of children to their parents
where they have been born out of this everlasting covenant. If a man refuses
to receive all of these ordinances, then he will fall short of the exaltation,
for these are obligatory, we cannot ignore them and be found worthy of this
great blessing.
There have been times in the history of the world when these ordinances
could not be given, for there were no authorized servants holding the
Priesthood among the people. Millions of worthy souls have died without relief
from their sins and without knowing of the Gospel, who would have received all
these commandments if the opportunity had been extended to them. Even the
children of Israel with whom the Lord made covenants through their fathers
Abraham and Israel were left for centuries without the fulness of these
blessings. When the Lord took Moses out of their midst, he took the
Melchizedek Priesthood also, and left the Aaronic Priesthood with the
preparatory Gospel, and to this was attached the law. This was done because
the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people for their hardness of
heart. The Lord "swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the
wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory." (D.C. 84:24.) These
Israelites could not, therefore, obtain the fulness of the blessings. Just
what ordinances were given them, beyond the preparatory Gospel, we do not
know. That they were restricted is apparent, so they were unable to obtain the
blessings which would entitle them to a "fulness of his glory." It was
necessary because of this for these, ancient people to wait until the time
should come when others could act for them. This time came after the
resurrection of our Lord. In that day the Jews were under obligation to
receive the Gospel and not only comply with its ordinances themselves, but to
perform these rites for their dead fathers. Because they refused to do either,
the Savior said that all the righteous blood which was shed from the days of
Abel to the shedding of the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, would be
required of that generation. (See discourse by Joseph Smith, T. and S. 3:759.)
After the death of the apostles when the apostasy set in, the people were
left without the ordinances of the Gospel and therefore could not obtain the
blessings which would admit them into the fulness of glory. For many centuries
this condition prevailed over all the earth, for there were no authorized
ministers to officiate for them. The Church had been driven into the
wilderness (Rev. 12:1-6), and the people for many generations were forced to
wait until the time of restoration for the authority to be given again to man,
before they could receive relief from transgression. During these many years
millions of people died who would have repented, we feel safe in saying, had
the Gospel in its power come to them.
Since the Jews refused to redeem their dead, and since there have been
countless millions pass away who did not hear the Gospel, the obligation is
upon the people of this generation to do the work for them. We are informed
that the great work of the Millennium will be performed in behalf of these
fathers unto whom the promises were made.
Malachi says promises of salvation, through aid rendered by the children,
were made to the fathers. When and how were such promises given? This promise
was made even before the foundation of the earth was laid. It was part of the
great plan and was understood before man was placed on the earth. Joseph
Smith, by revelation, instructed the Saints and said that the Lord "ordained
and prepared" the means, "before the foundation of the world, for the
salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the Gospel."
Moreover, the Lord said in a revelation to the Church in 1841, "For I deign to
reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the
foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the
fulness of times." (D.C. 124:41 and 128:5.) These things to be revealed which
had been kept hid pertain to the ordinances in the temple for the exaltation
of mankind.
Through ancient prophets who were these promises made. Isaiah is one of
the prophets who declared the promise in the following striking manner:
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold
thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the
people, for a light of the Gentiles;
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the
prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 42:6-7.
When the Savior began his ministry in Nazareth, he entered the synagogue
on the Sabbath day. The Book of Isaiah was handed to him.
And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it
was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me
to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath set me to heal the
broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight of the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:17-19.
Commenting on this scripture, the Savior told the Jews that "this day is
this scripture fulfilled in your ears." By this he meant to convey to them the
fact that his ministry was to inaugurate these blessings for both the living
and the dead. The reference to the opening of the prison and the deliverance
of the captives, in these words from Isaiah, is a promise made to the dead.
The loosing of the bands which bound the prisoners is a reference to the
relief from the first death and sin, and the giving to them the fulness of the
Gospel, that they might enter into the rest, which is the glory of the Lord.
This is the interpretation given by Joseph Smith.
Other promises were also made to the fathers that the day of deliverance
would come. The Lord revealed it to Enoch and had him write it. (Moses
7:38-40.) If we had the fulness of the writings of the ancient prophets we may
rest assured that we would find this doctrine clearly expressed.
There was no work performed for the dead before the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. The ordinances of the Gospel before that time were confined to the
living. It was Christ who opened the door to the dead and made it possible for
them to be taught the truth and to receive relief through their repentance.
These privileges are now granted to the dead and the responsibility is upon
the people of the earth today, not merely upon the Latter-day Saints, but all
men who hear the truth, just as the responsibility was upon the Jews of the
generation when our Lord was on the earth, to labor for the dead. If the veil
could be parted and we could see the world of spirits, we would likely
discover many among them anxiously praying and hoping that their day of
deliverance would come. Their hearts are turned towards their children on whom
their hopes rely for deliverance from the prison house.
Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth
break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of
eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the
world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their
prison; for the prisoners shall go free. Joseph Smith.
And if it seen evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom
ye will serve; * * * but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15.
Independent action is essential to every man's success or failure.
Without the agency which is given to all men, there could be no rewards nor
punishments. Take away the power of freedom to act, and man would be a mere
machine without responsibility. Lehi said: "For it must needs be, that there
is an opposition in all things. If not so * * * righteousness could not be
brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good
nor bad." (2 Nephi 2:11.) The Lord has said:
Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation
of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly
manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man
whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation. D.C.
93:31-32.
It is easy to see what a sad condition the world would be in if Lucifer's
plan had succeeded. Chaos would have ruled supreme. Every soul would have
become a nonentity; individuality would have been destroyed and all
righteousness, mercy, truth, would have passed away forever, and this would
have brought destruction to the universe. How true are the words of the Lord:
"All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act
for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence!"
D.C. 93:30.
Every soul has received this great blessing the right to choose for
himself what he will be. The poet has it:
Know this, that every soul is free,
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven.
He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love and light;
In nameless ways be good and kind
But never force the human mind.
William C. Gregg.
Compulsion is a thing foreign to the kingdom of God. Even in the exercise
of Priesthood by mortals there is a strict command that it may be used only in
kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without
hypocrisy, and without guile, for
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue
of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by
gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned. D.C. 121:41.
We are informed that if any man attempts to use force or compulsion by
the power of the Priesthood, "amen to the Priesthood or the authority of that
man." Force and compulsion are principles that obtain in Satan's realms. Upon
these his kingdom was founded and because of these it shall fall.
The great gift of agency is like fire: if properly controlled it becomes
an agency of life; if improperly used it becomes the agency of death. The
right to choose, which has been given us, if we use it wisely, will bring
exaltation. Through it we may become sons of God, enjoying the fulness of his
kingdom. If improperly used it becomes the agency of banishment from the
presence of God into outer darkness where we may become sons of Perdition, the
slaves of sin. Yet it is the greatest blessing, since we have learned that
without it there is no existence, and eternal life is the greatest gift of
God. The Lord said it is given "that every man may act in doctrine and
principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have
given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day
of judgment." D.C. 101:78.
William E. Hinley, the poet, was very proud of his freedom to act as
all men are but like the majority of us, he failed to understand and couple
this gift with the gift of humility which also comes from God. In his
excellent poem Invictus, he has penned these lines:
It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
All of which is true. We are all captains of our own soul, because the
Lord has said to us in effect: "I will make you my sons and daughters; you may
become my heirs and inherit all that is in my kingdom. You may be like unto
me. I give you freedom and the power to choose. You may accept what I offer,
or you may reject it. If you accept, then there are definite and immutable
laws and regulations which you must observe to keep. You must make a covenant
with me that in all things you will do my will, and obey my commandments.
These commandments you will not find grievous or hard to bear. If you will
hearken to my word you shall find peace and eternal joy, and eternal freedom
shall be given you, for my word is truth and it is the truth which makes you
free. You may refuse to obey my voice and you may rebel against my law, for
this power is in you; but remember if you do, you shall bring upon you the
second death, which is banishment from my presence. You shall not obtain
eternal life, but eternal death, and shall dwell with Perdition, whose sons
you shall become. Where you go there shall be misery and remorse of
conscience. Now these ways are before you. My law you have, I command you to
observe it." With such instruction each man becomes the captain of his soul,
the pilot of his own reward. If he does wickedly he will direct his craft upon
the rocks of eternal punishment. If he will do righteously he shall find rest
to his soul which is the fulness of eternal glory.
There is no freedom in sin. Wickedness is a most cruel tyrant, extending
punishment to the extreme and exacting the last farthing. Surely "the wages of
sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord." The Redeemer said to the Jews who professed belief in him:
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32.
Then he answered further: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin," and Paul added in his instruction to
the Roman Saints: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or
obedience unto righteousness?" Alma, when teaching his wayward son, Corianton,
in the principles of life made this very apt and true remark which is easy to
remember and which we all should have stamped eternally upon our souls.
Have not all of us proved the truth of this significant remark? We are
sinners all; our own individual experiences have taught us that when we have
done evil though we may have been deceived at the time into thinking we
were receiving some happiness out of it yet when we have come to our sober
senses we have discovered the misery we have reaped was not worth the price we
paid, and we have found that it is as true as our very existence that
"wickedness never was happiness." The fruit of the Spirit of the Lord "is
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
Some men excuse themselves for their sins because of the weaknesses of
the flesh and the enticings of others, but the Lord will give strength to any
man who will seek him so that he may have power to overcome the world. James
says "every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and
enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when
it is finished, bringeth forth death." Our individual responsibilities are
declared by Alma in the following words:
I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a
just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their
desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea I know that he
allotteth unto men according to their wills, whether they be unto
salvation or unto destruction.
Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he
that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth
good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether
he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of
conscience. Alma 29:4-5.
And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be
judged according to their works; and if their works were good in
this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they
should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them
for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper
order, every thing to its natural frame mortality raised to
immortality, corruption to incorruption raised to endless
happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to
inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on the one hand, the other
on the other
The one raised to happiness according to his desires of
happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other
to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to
do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil
when the night cometh.
And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his
sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so
he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are
they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless right
of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their
own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is
prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. Alma
41:3-7.
The Lord has made it very clear that we do not have to serve him, but if
we seek the blessings of righteousness, we will serve him, and there is no
peace nor happiness, no joy nor satisfaction, nor freedom in any other course.
Let our love extend, and our righteousness increase, for our own sakes and for
those who depend upon us.
I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment that no
man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is by law, saith
the Lord. D.C. 132:12.
Obedience to law is the order throughout the universe. If we examine the
heavens we see the stars maintaining their respective positions, the sun and
its planets revolving according to the law which they have received. So
accurate are the movements of these heavenly bodies that the astronomers can
calculate their positions in the heavens for many years. Eclipses of the sun
and of the moon are determined months in advance and the knowledge is
published. Scientists prepare for these events and travel to distant parts of
the earth in order that they may study to better advantage where the eclipse
is total. How are they able to determine these events so many months in
advance of the time when they occur? The answer is given us by the Lord
himself: "All kingdoms have a law given; and there are many kingdoms; for
there is no space in which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in
which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom. And unto every
kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and
conditions."
Because this earth abides the law it received from the Creator, it has
been promised the blessing of celestial glory. "Therefore, it must needs be
sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial
glory; for after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be
crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father; that bodies who
are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever; for, for this
intent was it made and created, and for this intent are they sanctified."
D.C. 88: 18-20.
If we look upon the earth we find the same principle to be true.
Everywhere order prevails because all things in nature are obedient to the law
given for their government. The trees bring forth their fruit in the season
thereof, each according to its kind. This spring I held in my hand a number of
seeds. They looked much alike, and apparently lifeless, but in them was latent
animation beyond the understanding of man. I knew when I placed them in the
ground that with proper care they would soon burst their shells and small
blades would protrude from the ground. I knew that when they grew, if proper
attention was given to them, they would shoot forth stems and leaves, and
eventually buds would form on them. Because of former experience I also knew
that when the buds were ripe they would burst forth into beautiful flowers,
some red, some pink, some blue, and they would be of various shades of color.
I knew that each would take on itself the shape and color of its parent plant,
but when I gazed at the seeds I could not tell which would be red, which pink,
which blue, but that they would follow the law which had been given them.
Scientists have gazed at objects too small for the unaided eye to behold,
and through the microscope there has been revealed to them a world of
countless wonders. But through it all there is order because to even those
minute forms of life a law has been given. Every searcher knows that in every
field on the earth or in the heavens, immutable laws are found among the
myriads of living creatures, and also among the inanimate objects on the face
of the earth.
The great question is, why is this thing so? No one questions the fact
that it is so, but there are those, who should know better, who are persistent
in the thought that it has all come by chance; there is no guiding hand
directing things toward this orderly method of procedure. Men who really
think, however, acknowledge the guiding hand of some Almighty Power, and most
of them say it is an all-wise God who rules so efficiently and perfectly in
all the universe.
"Snow crystals," says one observer, "obey an immutable law of six. They
are six-sided jewels or six-pointed stars. They never answer to the law of
four or five. Snow is crystallized water, and water always crystallizes in
six-sided forms. Why?" And then the observer adds: "No one knows: no one ever
will know." But Some One does know; for He gave to the crystals their law to
which they are obedient. Some day we may all know why as well as how this and
countless other things are done. Water when it freezes expands and becomes
ice. Why? If water contracted when it froze the whole world would be in
danger. Ice would be a menace to existence for instead of floating it would
sink. The ocean and river beds would be turned to ice. A Wise Creator gave
unto ice this law.
Having read all this do you wonder what it has to do with the question of
the second birth? It is related to our subject because the new birth is also a
matter of obedience to law. It is one of the strange things that so many human
minds will grasp the fact that every thing on the earth, in the earth, or
above the earth, is governed and controlled by immutable law; but when it
comes to the consideration of the kingdom of God, these same minds see no need
of law. To obtain salvation, we are frequently told, we need comply with no
ordinance; no regulation except that we live in peace and respect the rights
of others. "It matters not what I do, as long as I obey the laws of my
country, as long as I do not take advantage of my neighbor, as long as I am
truthful, as long as I am honest, as long as I am sincere and do not harm any
man or infringe upon his rights, then all will be well with me." Such an
expression has been made to me.
"It is not necessary for me to accept any religious doctrines, or, if I
do, the doctrines of one organization are just as good as those of another, if
I do what I think is right." Have we not I heard remarks akin to these? "I
believe in God" said one individual, "but I do not believe in creeds. God
would not ask a man to be baptized in order to be saved. A righteous life is
all that is required."
But the word of the Lord is sure. No man has the right to set it aside.
No man has the right to dictate to the Father how his kingdom shall be
governed. There are immutable laws that have been given for the government of
this kingdom as there are for every other. If we do not accept these laws and
in obedience conform to the order, we cannot have claim upon the blessings.
This is a universal law. We find it in our daily lives, in everything with
which we come in contact.
Baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands
for the gift of the Holy Ghost, constitute the birth of the water and of the
Spirit. This is essential to salvation. It is more than a symbol; it is a
reality, a birth in very deed. How could a man get into this mortal world
without being born as other men are born? Has anyone ever done so? It has
never been done because there is a law controlling mortal birth. No man can
obtain the second birth except by complying with the law of that birth, which
is to be born of the water and of the Spirit in the way the Lord has
prescribed. No man can come unto God without repentance. Unforgiven sinners
could not dwell in his presence. To gain entrance there we must be sanctified,
or cleansed from sin, and the law governing this matter has been unalterably
fixed. We may rebel; we may protest and think this method a very foolish one;
a very unnecessary one; but it is in the wisdom of One who knows all things
that this commandment has been given. Who is man that he should question God?
"Shall the ax 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 stag should lift up itself, as if
it were no wood?" Isaiah 10:15.
We all have been taught that baptism is for the remission of sins, but
the Lord has given us further explanation as to the purpose and efficacy of
this ordinance. Baptism dates from the fall of man. Adam was cast out of the
presence of the Lord because of his transgression, and thus was banished from
the presence of the Father. This banishment is called the "first" or
"spiritual" death. All who are unrepentant, who have not accepted the Gospel,
are spiritually dead. That is, they are subject to the "first" death which is
banishment from the presence of the Lord.
Death is banishment. Explaining this matter the Lord said to Joseph
Smith:
Wherefore it came to pass that the devil tempted Adam, and he
partook of the forbidden fruit and transgressed the commandment,
wherein he became subject to the will of the devil, because he
yielded unto temptation.
Wherefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out
from the Garden of Eden, from my Presence, because of his
transgression, wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the
first death, even that same death which is the last death, which is
spiritual, which shall be Pronounced upon the wicked when I shall
say: Depart, ye cursed. D.C. 29:40-41.
This same banishment has been pronounced on all those who do not repent
and accept the ordinances of the Gospel, "For they cannot be redeemed," said
the Lord, "from their spiritual fall because they repent not."
Now, how can we overcome this death? How can we get back from that
banishment? By being born again of the water and of the Spirit. To be brought
back we must comply with certain laws which have been eternally fixed and
which are as immutable as the heavens. These laws are those of the water
burial, or birth, and the birth of the Spirit of God by receiving the gift of
the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
So we see baptism is the means by which we come back into the presence of
the Lord after being shut out of his presence. For this reason it is a burial
in the water and symbolizes both a death and a birth into a new life, and is
in the similitude of the death of Jesus Christ as well as of birth into this
world. John understood this and has said:
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not
by water only, but water and blood. And it is the Spirit that
beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and
the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 1 John
5:5-8.
This doctrine was not introduced by John; evidently he was taught it from
earlier prophets, for we read in the Book of Moses:
That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall
bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by
water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became
of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the
kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by
blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be
sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this
world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;
For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are
justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified. Moses 6:59-60.
The significant likeness between birth and baptism, and between death and
baptism, with the symbolism found in the expression of the witnesses in heaven
and on earth, is very apparent to those who understand the order of heaven in
relation to the second birth.
Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having
redeemed man from the fall, Men became again, in their infant state, innocent
before God. D.C. 93:3.
What is sweeter than a little child? Is it possible for you to look into
the innocent, trusting face of an infant one year old, or less, and feel that
there is any taint upon its soul? Do you believe that the helpless, dependent
little child is under condemnation because of the sin of some one else and
must be cleansed by some religious rite falsely called "baptism"? If you
believe any such thing as this then your own soul is in the depths of bondage
to sin. If you do believe this, then you have failed to grasp the significance
and meaning of the atonement of Jesus Christ. You do not understand the
mission of our Savior, and you are bound by the chains of hell.
Hearken to the words of a prophet who lived some fifteen hundred years
ago.
And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of
God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn
mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.
Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach
repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of
committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be
baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they
shall all be saved with their little children.
And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism.
Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the
commandments unto the remission of sins.
But little children are alive in Christ, even from the
foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a
changeable God, and a respecter of persons; for how many little
children have died without baptism!
Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without
baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.
Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little
children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds
of inquiry; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore,
should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.
For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one
child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath
no baptism.
Woe be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after
this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I
speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what
man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.
And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love;
wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little
children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers
of salvation.
For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable
being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.
Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful
wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are
all alive in him because of his mercy.
And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the
mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and
the power of his redemption.
Wo unto such, for they are in danger of death, hell, and
endless torment. I speak it boldly; God hath commanded me. Listen
unto them and give heed, or they stand against you at the
judgment-seat of Christ.
For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and
also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption
cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not
condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and
unto such baptism availeth nothing
But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ and
the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.
Moroni 8:9-23.
I have given this in full because it is the word of the Lord on the
subject and comes to the world by his authority. There is no principle taught
in the scriptures which is more clearly and definitely stated as to its nature
and purpose than is the principle of baptism. There is no reason, except
wilful perversion of the word of the Lord, for anyone to misunderstand this
principle. We are definitely and emphatically taught that baptism is for the
remission of sins. We are equally taught that it is a burial in water, a birth
from the water, that it is a death and a resurrection a coming forth into a
new life. To be "born of the water and of the spirit," said the Savior to
Nicodemus, is essential to entrance into the kingdom of God. Who can
misunderstand the meaning of his words? Search the scriptures; do they not
teach us that baptism is for remission of sins? "John did baptize in the
wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
(Mark I:4.) John cried to the Jews who came to him: "Bring forth therefore
fruits meet for repentance. * * * I indeed baptize you with water unto
repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I" Matthew 3:8,
11.
All men have been redeemed from original sin. We are not responsible for
it and we are not held accountable for it. We are all redeemed from its
consequence through the atonement of Jesus Christ, whether we believe in him
or not. The resurrection shall come to all, both the righteous and the wicked.
But every man must answer for his own sins, unless he repents and receives the
Gospel. If he will do this then the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses him from
his individual sins. Little children, being without sin, are redeemed from the
fall; should they die in infancy they shall receive eternal life, and shall be
taken into the kingdom of God to dwell in his presence.
This is the doctrine taught by Christ. When little children were brought
to him he did not ask, "Have they been christened, or sprinkled, to cleanse
them from, original sin" No! He said: "Suffer little children, and forbid them
not, to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven!" What a glorious
doctrine, this! What a comfort to know that little children belong to the
kingdom of heaven. It is only when they grow to years of accountability and
begin to understand sin and partake of it, that they need repentance and to be
cleansed from sin. They, cannot be cleansed from sin when they have no sin.
Little children cannot repent. They have done nothing of which to repent.
They are innocent before God, and it is a doctrine of the evil one that they
should be baptized. There was no baptism of infants in the days of Christ and
his apostles. This wickedness was introduced many years after the apostles
were taken away, and is one of the chief signs of the control of Satan over
the hearts of the children of men, because it is a doctrine which denies the
mercies of Christ and the power of his atonement.
When the Gospel was restored one hundred years ago, there was a most
pernicious doctrine being taught among the people. We may all be grateful to
the Lord that it has almost disappeared, for it could not live in the light of
the revealed Gospel. This was the doctrine that unbaptized (unsprinkled)
infants, many of them not more than "a span long," were in hell in everlasting
torment, because their parents did not have them christened by an unauthorized
priest who held no divine authority. When I was in the mission field thirty
years ago, a man and his wife, unto whom I was teaching the Gospel, asked me
if there was any hope for babies who die without being christened by a priest.
Then they related the following story: One of their children died in early
infancy. They asked the minister of their church to take charge of the funeral
and give the child "Christian burial." This he refused to do, because, he
explained, the child had not been "baptized" and therefore could not receive
Christian burial. The parents were heartbroken; they had been made to believe
that their child was eternally damned, and that they need not think that they
would ever see it again for it was assigned to stay in the torment of hell
forever. Can you imagine anything more unchristian than a teaching of this
kind? Bring such a thing home to yourselves. Suppose you had been mad to feel
that one of your little ones had been consigned to eternal torment because it
had not been baptized, and then suppose you should learn the truth and
discover the mercy of Jesus Christ and his love for little children? Would you
not condemn the false teaching most emphatically? Would you not say that those
who teach such wickedness are in the gall of hell themselves? Would you not
feel to thank your Savior for the truth and would not your love for him
increase when you discovered that he has redeemed all little children who die?
In a vision given to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, this
truth was made known to him, and he said:
I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at
the years of accountability, are saved in the celestial kingdom of
heaven.
This was not the first time this truth had been made known. We have found
this doctrine taught in the Book of Mormon, and to the youthful prophet in
September, 1830, shortly after the organization of the Church, the Lord said:
But, behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed
from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan
to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable
before me;
For it is given unto them even as I will, according to mine own
pleasure, that great things may be required at the hand of their
fathers.
And, again, I say unto you, that whoso having knowledge have I
not commanded to repent?
And he that hath no understanding, it remaineth in me to do
according as it is written. D.C. 29:46-50.
The mercy of the Lord is wonderful. It does not rob justice, for they
work in perfect harmony, but both justice and mercy would be robbed and an
unpardonable crime committed in the name of the Lord, if all little children
were not redeemed through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Canon Stowell of the Anglican Church spoke better than he knew when he
said: "What is an opinion? Two hundred millions of civilized men are the
slaves of an opinion, and that opinion makes them the vassals of `the man of
sin'." This opinion, or false doctrine, that little children who die
unbaptized are eternally damned, which brought misery to the world for
centuries and which was erroneously taught as a part of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, made men slaves to the "man of sin," as Mormon clearly taught in his
epistle to his son Moroni.
Many years ago, David King, an Englishman, published a small work with
the title: "Why Baptize the Little Ones?" Mr. King went into the matter
thoroughly and showed conclusively the fallacy and wickedness of the doctrine
of "infant baptism," or, "christening." Concluding his argument he said:
The Greek, Roman, Anglican, Presbyterian, and other churches,
baptize babies into membership. Converted or unconverted in after
years they remain members of the church. The world is thus openly in
the church * * * No wonder that infidelity points the finger of
scorn at the so called, Christianity!
Not that a pious person will be lost on account of a mistake
concerning baptism. But thousands grow up with the belief that in
infancy they were made Christians they speak of "Our Savior" and
go now and then to church. That they are not Christians never enters
their heads. Tell them so, and they indignantly ask whether you
think them Jews or Pagans? Were they not born in a Christian land?
And were they not made children of God in holy baptisms? But for
this delusion they might be brought to discern their true condition
without God, without Christ, without pardon, without hope and
such discernment would lead in many instances to deep concern and
true conversion. But the lie is upon their forehead and in their
heart. They perish, sacrificed to infant baptism and membership, as
completely as are the crushed worshipers of Juggernaut sacrificed to
their idols.
These are some of the evils consequent upon baby-baptism. If it
be of God let it be honored, but if not, harmless and indifferent it
is not, but a dire evil, afflicting both children and parents,
church and world. pp. 53A.
The word of the Lord is that:
Every Spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God
having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant
state, innocent before God.
And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth,
through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the
tradition of their fathers.
But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and
truth. D.C. 93:38-40.
He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.
D.C. 88:83.
Edward Young, poet and writer, is credited with saying:
Procrastination is the thief of time,
Year after year it steals, till all are fled,
And in the mercies of a moment leaves
The vast concerns of an eternal scene.
Procrastination, as it may be applied to Gospel principles, is the thief
of eternal life which is life in the presence of the Father and the Son.
There are many among us, even members of the Church, who feel that there is no
need for haste in the observance of Gospel principles and the keeping of the
commandments.
Nephi wrote of the people of the last days: "Yea, and there shall be many
which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall
be well with us. And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and
be merry; nevertheless, fear God he will justify in committing a little
sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a
pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for
tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a
few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." 2 Nephi
28:7-8.
Do not think that this was said of the world, or even the "stranger
within our gates." It is said of members of the Church. Moreover, Nephi warns
us that in the last days there will be many who will follow Satan:
For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the
children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is
good.
And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal
security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion
prospereth, all is well and thus the devil cheateth their souls,
and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there
is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none
and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with
his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
* * * * *
Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto
him that crieth: All is well!
Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men,
and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need
no more!
And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry
because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the
rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy
foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of
God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough.
2 Nephi 28:20-22, 24-29.
We are living in the last days. Have we not heard individuals talk as
Nephi said they would? Are there not many who excuse themselves and lull
themselves to sleep in "carnal security," thinking that the Lord will overlook
their little sins? Are there not those among us who are denying the power of
the devil, and who deny that there is a devil? Do they not "spiritualize" the
torments of hell, and say there is no hell? Have you not heard these things
taught? In this manner Satan is raging in the hearts of the people, and
members of the Church do not entirely escape his cunning sophistries!
Bad habits are easily formed, but not so easily broken. Are we yielding
to our evil habits, thinking they are only trifles after all, and we will get
rid of them in the grave? Do we expect that our bodies will be cleansed in the
grave and we shall come forth with perfect and sanctified bodies in the
resurrection? There are some among us who teach this thing, and excuse
themselves for their practices, saying that they will be cleansed in the
grave.
Alma taught a very different doctrine. He said to Corianton: "Do not
suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be
restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was
happiness. * * * For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again,
and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the
sinner, and justifieth him not at all." Alma 41:10, 15.
The Savior also said, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again." Some think that a little punishment will not be so bad, and they
are willing to take a chance and suffer for their offenses rather than keep
the commandments of the Lord as we are instructed. If they are able to escape
with a "few stripes" they may consider themselves fortunate. But let us
remember that sin must be atoned for. Restitution must be made; we will have
to pay the price if we refuse to repent and to receive the blessings of the
Gospel. John Heywood, in his proverbs, said: "No man loveth his fetters, be
they made of gold." Do not think that your fetters will be made of gold.
Punishment is not easy to bear, especially when the conscience is troubled.
Who could be happy in suffering, and all the while be thinking that the
suffering had come because of a wilful, or persistent, breaking of the
commandments of God when knowledge had been given and counsel to walk in
righteousness? What will the sinner think in that day when he has learned
repentance for wilful rebellion, and realizes that the great suffering of our
Lord in love, made it unnecessary for him to so suffer if he had accepted
Christ and his work?
Our eternal Father has prepared three great kingdoms into which the souls
of men will go. It is not the purpose here to discuss these kingdoms. In
passing it is only necessary to say, that in the telestial will go all those
who have not been true; those who have professed and who have not performed
(D.C. 41:1), the liars, sorcerers, adulterers, and all who refuse to walk in
ways of truth. Into the terrestrial will go all those who are honorable, who
have been morally clean, but who would not receive the Gospel; also those who
die without law.
To enter the celestial and obtain exaltation it is necessary that the
whole law be kept. The word of the Lord is that they of the celestial world
are those sanctified from all unrighteousness. (D.C. 88:21, cf. verse 18.) To
become sanctified there are certain definite covenants we must keep in
faithfulness, living by "every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of
God." "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his
name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, * * * 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 the power." These are they "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." (D.C. 76:51-53. See also verses 54-60.) And they
who are not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise and who are not just and
true, need not expect their great blessings.
No person can begin too early to serve the Lord. Parents are instructed
to teach their children from infancy, with the warning that they will be held
accountable if they fail to do so. If a child is taught in righteousness from
birth it will most likely be a follower of righteousness always. Good habits
are easily formed and easily followed. They who refuse to seek the Lord early
are forsaken in the hour of their trouble. Read the history of Israel; of the
Nephites. How often when they rebelled were they punished! How slow was the
Lord to hear their cries when trouble came upon them because of their sins!
"They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore,
the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, and answer them in
the day of their trouble." So spake the Lord to modern Israel.
Do you desire to enter into the celestial kingdom and receive eternal
life? Then be willing to keep all , of the commandments the Lord may give you.
Baptism and confirmation are the ordinances by which we come into the kingdom
of God. But these ordinances of themselves will not grant us a place of
exaltation! The man who is baptized and confirmed, who pays his tithing, keeps
the Word of Wisdom and attends to the ordinary duties required of members of
the Church, is entitled to enter that Kingdom. Yet he may be merely a servant
there. If that is all he is willing to do, he cannot be exalted. He will not
become an heir and receive the fullness of that kingdom. Other ordinances and
obligations will be required of him if he obtains exaltation and becomes in
every sense of the word an heir, possessing "all that the Father hath."
Each person baptized into the Church is under obligation to keep the
commandments of the Lord. He is under covenant, for baptism is a "new and an
everlasting covenant." (D.C. 22:I.) When he has proved himself by a worthy
life, having been faithful in all things required of him, then it is his
privilege to receive other covenants and to take upon himself other
obligations which will make of him an heir, and he will become a member of the
"Church of the Firstborn." Into his hands "the Father has given all things."
He will be a priest and a king, receiving of the Father's fullness and of his
glory. Is this worth having? It cannot be obtained without some effort. It
cannot be obtained without knowledge of the things of God. We frequently hear
quoted these words of the Lord to Joseph Smith: "It is impossible for a man to
be saved in ignorance." In ignorance of what? the philosophies of the world?
No! In ignorance of the Gospel truth the saving principles and ordinances
by which salvation comes! These must not only be understood, but they must be
lived! Knowledge of them will not in itself save us Obedience thereto will!
And then will come the fullness of knowledge, bringing with it wisdom, power
and dominion. And the fullness of these blessings can only be obtained in the
temple of the Lord!
We are told that the "fear (love) of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." True knowledge and
wisdom come through prayer and wise fasting, and through truthful teaching and
diligent study. (D.C. 88:76-78.) Do not let us forget the words of Alma:
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet
God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform
their labors:
* * * I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of
your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is
given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our
time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein
there can be no labor performed.
Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I
will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this;
for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that
ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess
your body in that eternal world. Alma 34:32-34.
The Lord is always merciful and kind. If we draw, near unto him, he will
draw near unto us. "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall
receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (D.C. 88:63.) Our chief
trouble is we do not seek diligently. Our seeking is superficial, we seem to
think the Lord is bound to hear us without our putting forth much effort. Let
diligence and love be our guides, and we shall find the path to eternal life.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the
laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and
administer in the ordinances thereof. Fifth Article of Faith.
In the month of February, 1835, the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation
were called. As early as June, 1829, it was made known to Joseph Smith by
revelation that Twelve Apostles would be chosen. This information came before
the organization of the Church and Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were then
appointed to "search out the Twelve" when the time should come for them to be
chosen. One month after the Apostles had been chosen, the Twelve in council
sought information by revelation, that they might have a better understanding
of their calling. In their behalf Joseph Smith sought the Lord and received
the revelation on Priesthood D.C. 107.
This revelation gives us light in relation to the Priesthood and the
various offices which grow out of it, which the Church did not have previous
to that time. It was made known that there were in the Church two Priesthoods,
or grand divisions of Priesthood, the Melchizedek and the Aaronic, including
the Levitical. "Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because
Melchizedek was such a great High Priest. Before his day it was called the
Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. But out of respect or
reverence to the name of the supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent
repetition of his name, they, the Church, in ancient days called that
priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood."
This information was all new, only general statements pertaining to this
truth having been revealed before that time, and the world knew nothing of it.
We have already studied other revelations on the Priesthood and learned that
the Lord conferred upon Aaron and his sons a Priesthood which was called after
his name; and also that the first order was that which is called Evangelical,
or Patriarchal, which was the Priesthood held by Adam and the antediluvians
and even down to the time of Moses. There are some further phases of the
Priesthood, however, that we should clearly understand.
Every man who is ordained to the Priesthood has authority to officiate in
some capacity in the Church. For without Priesthood there could be no Church,
and if there were no Priesthood, no official act could be performed in the
name of the Lord. Men would be left in darkness without an understanding of
the Truth, for the power of God could not be made manifest. "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." So the Lord taught us
through Joseph Smith. D.C. 84:19-21.
This Holy Priesthood, which is eternal, is the authority which prevails
in all the universe. The ordinances of the Gospel are made valid through its
power and without it the knowledge of God could not be made manifest. It is by
this authority and through the ordinances that man is able to know of God.
Without the Priesthood it would be impossible for man to gain the knowledge
which would bring him into the presence of the Father. Is there any wonder,
then, that the world, deprived of the Priesthood, is in such spiritual
confusion? Men may search and they may study, but they will never come to a
knowledge of God until they receive the Gospel and obtain light through the
power of the Priesthood and the ordinances of the Gospel. It is easy to see,
with the explanation the Lord has given us, that it was the most natural thing
in the world, after the Church disappeared and the authority which always
accompanies it, that all manner of false doctrines and philosophies would take
the place of the knowledge of God. See the sad condition of those who once
belonged to the Church, but have fallen away, how they have lost the key to
spiritual knowledge! Certain organizations have been formed from time to time
by those who have gone out of the Church, but the light which they formerly
had has left them. They are soon left to grope in spiritual darkness, because
the "power of godliness" ceases to be with them. When the light goes out then
darkness of the worst kind enters in. Alma said, they are bound by the chains
of hell.
There is a difference between receiving an office in the Priesthood and
in receiving the keys of the Priesthood. This we should clearly understand.
Peter, James and John conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the
Melchizedek Priesthood. Before that time John the Baptist came and conferred
upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. But it was necessary for Elias, who lived in
the days of Abraham, to come and restore the keys of his dispensation; for
Moses to come and restore the keys of the gathering of Israel; and for Elijah
to come and restore the keys of the sealing power, by which the hearts of the
fathers and the children are turned to each other. In fact it was necessary
that the keys of all the dispensations should be restored in this Dispensation
of the Fullness of Times, and so the Prophet Joseph Smith has recorded it:
And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni,
an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfillment of the prophecy
the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of
Fayette, Seneca county, declaring the three witnesses to bear record
of the book! The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna,
detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light! The voice
of Peter, James and John in the wilderness between Harmony,
Susquehanna county, and Colesville, Broome county, on the
Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as possessing the keys of
the kingdom and of the dispensation of the fullness of times!
And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father
Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in
divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! And the voice of
Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of
diverse angels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all
declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their
honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their Priesthood;
giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little and there
a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to
come, conforming our hope. D.C. 128:20-21.
From this description we discover that all who held keys of authority in
dispensations from the days of Adam down, came in this dispensation and
declared their keys, their honors and priesthood. All of this had to be done
for this is the dispensation of restoration.
President Joseph F. Smith has given us a very clear understanding of what
is meant by keys of Priesthood in the following:
The Priesthood in general is the authority given to man to act
for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood, has
this authority delegated to him.
But it is necessary that every act performed under this
authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper
way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors
constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fullness these keys
are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of
the Church. He may delegate any portion of his power to another, in
which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor.
Thus, the president of a temple, the president of a stake, the
bishop of a ward, the president of a mission, the president of a
quorum, each holds the keys of the labors performed in that
particular body or locality. His Priesthood is not increased by this
special appointment, for a seventy who presides over a mission has
no more priesthood than a seventy who labors under his direction,
and the president of an elder's quorum, for example, has no more
Priesthood than any member of that quorum. But he holds the power of
directing the official labors performed in the mission or the
quorum, or in other words, the keys of that division of that work.
So it is throughout all the ramifications of the Priesthood a
distinction must be carefully made between the general authority,
and the directing of the labors performed by that authority. Gos.
Doc., p. 168.
So we learn that while all men hold the Priesthood who are ordained to
any office, yet there are special, or directing authorities, bestowed upon
those who are called to preside. These authorities are called keys. The bishop
of a ward has the power to direct the members of his ward, for he holds the
keys of presidency there, and he, acts both as bishop and as the president of
the ward by virtue of his High Priesthood. Now, in his ward may live an
apostle, but as a member of the ward, the apostle is under the jurisdiction of
his bishop. For instance, should he desire to baptize one of his children, it
would be his duty to obtain the permission of his bishop, for that is the
order of the Church. The bishop holds the keys for the performance of all
ordinances in his ward, but he may delegate authority for administering these
to others.
The President of the Church, as President Smith has clearly stated, holds
the keys over all the Church. There is only one at a time on earth who has
this power. (D.C. 132:7.) No man can officiate in and confer the blessings of
the temple without the authority to do so being delegated to him by the
President of the Church. No man can officiate in any capacity in this Church,
without the virtue accompanying him in that act, as it is obtained through the
power and keys held by the President of the Church. The President has power,
if the Lord should direct him to do so, to call home all the missionaries in
the world. He could say that there shall be no more preaching of the Gospel to
the nations. He could forbid the official act of baptizing, or of ordaining to
the Priesthood, anywhere in the world, if the Lord should so direct. This
authority is vested in him, for he holds all the keys of the Priesthood. If by
virtue of his keys he should say that certain privileges should be withdrawn
from the people, then no man would have authority to officiate in conferring
those particular privileges. Should any one attempt to do so, the act would be
one of rebellion against authority and would be invalid, and the one so
attempting to officiate would have to answer before the bar of God, if not
before the Church, and would be found in transgression.
Let it be understood that no man has authority to perform the sealings of
wives to husbands, for time and for eternity, outside a temple, because all
such ordinances, pertain to the house of the Lord, and the privilege of
performing the ordinance elsewhere has been withdrawn by the one holding these
keys. Neither can any man officiate in these, or other sealings, unless he has
been called and set apart and had that authority given him by the President of
the Church in whom these keys are vested. D.C. 132:7.
When men are commissioned by the one who holds these keys, then their
acts are valid. That which they do is sealed and ratified in the Church both
on earth and in the heavens. When the apostles or other brethren visit the
stakes of Zion and are appointed to set in order any thing requiring attention
there, they do it by virtue of the commission, or authority, delegated to them
by the President of the Church. This same principle applies in the lesser
degree in stakes and in wards. The president of a stake may delegate authority
to a high priest, or a high councilor, to act in that stake. The bishop of a
ward may delegate authority to an elder or a priest in his ward, but without
the sanction of the presiding officer, the labor would not be valid.
Serve and thou shalt be served. If you love and serve men, yon cannot by
any hiding or stratagem, escape the remuneration. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Service is the one thing required of every soul. He who will not serve
his fellows is not fit to have place among them. Serving others is its own
reward. When we receive the Priesthood we do so with the understanding that it
will be used for the benefit of others. This is an obligation we take upon us.
In fact Priesthood blesses us in two ways: First, it is the means through
which exaltation comes to those who hold it; second, it is to be used in
behalf of others that they also may be blessed. No man is independent. Put a
man off by himself where he could communicate with none of his fellow beings
or receive aid from them, and he would perish miserably. It is a mistake for
us to draw within ourselves as does a snail into its shell. No man has been
given the Priesthood as an ornament only. He is expected to use it in behalf
of the salvation of others.
Not only is he expected, but he is commanded to do so, for the Lord said,
after pointing out the various offices in the Priesthood and the duties
assigned to each:
Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty and to act in the
once in which he is appointed, in all diligence
He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and
he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not
be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen. D.C. 107:99-100.
This means that the man who accepts the Priesthood also accepts the
responsibilities which go with it. He promises that he will give service and
make himself approved. If he breaks this covenant for it is a covenant
then he will have to stand among those who do not exercise Priesthood; he
cannot stand among those who are approved. Let every man who holds the
Priesthood understand that he cannot enter into exaltation without the
Priesthood. If he refuses to use that Priesthood when it is conferred upon
him, he will not be found worthy to hold it in that day when men are rewarded
according to their works.
The parable of the talents is a beautiful story; let us repeat it:
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
another one; to every man according to his several ability; and
straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with
the same, and made them other five talents.
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other
two.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and
hid his lord's money.
After a long time the lord of those servant cometh, and
reckoned with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other
five talents, saying, Lord thou deliverest unto me five talents:
behold, I have gained besides them five talents more.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee
ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matt. 25:14-23.
The story continues and we are told that the man who had two talents also
gained two, and also was blessed and told to enter the joy of his lord. But
the man who had one had who buried it, brought it and said: "I knew thee that
thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where
thou has not strawed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the
earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." And his lord was angry with him and
said to the other servants: "Take therefore the talent from him, and give it
unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away
even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Each man holding the Priesthood should learn his duty from this parable,
for when the Lord shall come, like rewards shall be given us. Many who have
promised to magnify their Priesthood, and who have failed to do so, shall be
cast out. Their Priesthood shall be taken from them and they shall find
themselves outside the gates of the City, for they cannot stand with those who
have been faithful. Theirs shall be a condition of weeping and gnashing of
teeth. Now what is meant by the saying: "For unto every one that hath shall be
given, * * * but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he
hath?" Simply this: We are under obligation as men holding the Priesthood to
put to service the authority which we have received. If we do this then we
shall have other responsibilities and glory added, and we shall receive an
abundance, that is, the fullness of the Father's kingdom; but if we bury our
Priesthood, then we are not entitled to receive any reward, we cannot be
exalted.
As already said, Priesthood is given us for two purposes, first, that we
may ourselves receive exaltation, and, second, that we may be the means of
helping others to obtain like blessings. We are informed that if we are worthy
of exaltation we are to become like our Father in heaven and our Elder
Brother, Jesus Christ. We are to , become priests and kings (Rev. 1:6 and
5:1), and are to have dominion and be given rule. This means responsibility.
Now, it is a self-evident truth, that if we do not use the talents given us
now and do not exercise the responsibility we have received in this life, that
we will not be prepared or worthy to exercise authority and have
responsibility there. If such authority is given us here and we have refused
to use it, then we surely could have no right to the reward and cannot receive
responsibility and power there, for responsibilities then will be many times
greater than now. Here we prove ourselves through service as well as through
obedience to the law of the Gospel. It is not sufficient that we be good, that
is, that we do not violate the law, and only observe the regulations required
of laymen in the Church. He that does nothing is good for nothing, and there
should be no laymen in the Church. The Lord said to the Church of the
Laodiceans: "I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot. * * * So
then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out
of my mouth." Rev. 3: 15-16.
Neither should we boast in our own strength. And let us all beware of
taking honor which does not rightfully belong to us. It is disturbing to hear
men, especially those who have filled missions for two or more years at their
own expense, say: "I have served the Lord for such a time, and now I am going
to work for myself." This is said as if the Lord were obligated to them for
the service they have given. Some men and some women feel that if they give
service in the Church, then the Lord is under obligation to them. Some even
feel that way if they keep the commandments, and act as if the Lord were in
their debt. When a man holding the Priesthood says in effect, either in word
or by his actions: "I have given so many years of my life to the cause; now I
feel that I am entitled to a rest and the privilege of taking care of my own
affairs, to seek my ambition and not be hampered with religious duties," let
him beware! I have heard such things said and have observed what the fruit has
been. This man cuts himself off from the guidance and protection of the Spirit
of the Lord.
Every member of the Church should try to find some church duty to
perform. Never refuse to serve. When a presiding officer asks your help be
glad to accept and give the best you have to that labor. The Lord expects this
of us, and we are under covenant to do so. This course brings joy and peace,
and at the same time those who serve receive the greatest blessing. The
teacher gains more than the one taught; the blessing returned to us when we
accept a call to work in the Church is far greater than the blessing we can
impart to others. He who refuses to perform any labor, or shirks
responsibility when it is given him in the Church, is in grave danger of
losing the guidance of the Spirit. Eventually he becomes lukewarm and
indifferent to all duties and, like the plant that is not cultivated and
watered, he shrivels up and dies a spiritual death.
King Benjamin has given us the proper instruction:
I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the
thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to
that God who has created you, and has kept and Preserved you, and
has caused that ye should rejoice"' I say, if ye should serve him
with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his
commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his
commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary
from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his
commandments, he doth bless you and prosper you.
And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted
unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath
commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you;
and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him,
and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye
to boast? Mosiah 2:20-24.
The Savior also taught this doctrine and impressed upon his disciples
that if they labored all their days, yet they would be "unprofitable
servants," for they would have done only that which was their duty to do.
(Luke 17:7-10.) And the Lord requires service from the women as well as from
the men.
Do you think it will ever be possible for any one of us, no matter how
hard we labor, or even if we should sugar martyrdom, to pay our Father and
Jesus Christ for the blessings we have received from them? The great love,
with its accompanying blessings, extended to us through the crucifixion,
suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is beyond our mortal
comprehension. We never could repay. We have been bought with a price beyond
computation. Not with gold or silver or precious stones, "but with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot."
Peter.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me;
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died.
I think of his hands, pierced and bleeding, to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me,
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! Charles H. Gabriel.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding
have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever. Psalms
111:10.
Shortly before the Israelites were permitted to cross the Jordan and
enter the land of their inheritance, Moses gave them this instruction:
Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the
Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither
ye go to possess it.
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your
understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all
these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.
For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto
them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him
for?
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and
judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this
day? Deut. 4:5-8.
Likewise have the Latter-day Saints been taught, and we may appear in
this same light before the people, if we will only walk in the statutes with a
wise understanding.
We rejoice in the words of the Lord to Joseph Smith: "The glory of God is
intelligence." This very significant saying is taken from a revelation given
in Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833. For many years it has been the motto of the
Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and appears on all their
literature. Thousands of the members wear it inscribed on a pin of which they
are very proud and justly so. It is also the emblem of the Young Ladies'
Mutual Improvement Association, and they too are happy in giving utterance to
this saying which has come to us by revelation. No better motto could be
chosen, for it is filled with deep meaning and has been, and still is, an
incentive to members of the Church to seek after knowledge and wisdom, for "a
good understanding have all they that do his commandments." That this saying
came through revelation none can doubt when the full meaning of this thought
is understood.
As I ponder over this quotation, I wonder if we have fully comprehended
the depth and greatness of its meaning? The definition of intelligence given
in the dictionary is:
"1. The quality of being intelligent; capacity to know or understand;
intellect; ability to exercise the higher mental functions; readiness of
comprehension.
"2. Information acquired or communicated; instruction; notification;
notice; advice; news.
"3. Mutual understanding; interchange of information of thought; as, to
exchange a look of intelligence.
"4. An intelligent being; especially a spirit not embodied; as, the
intelligences of the unseen world; the Supreme Intelligence."
How many of us have thought that the whole meaning of the word is
circumscribed by the seeking after knowledge, and the capacity to understand?
Have we not, more or less, confused the word with knowledge, and associated
the quotation from the revelation which the saying credited to Bacon, that
"knowledge is power"? We have accepted without reservation the truth that God
is in possession of all knowledge and thereby has all power, and we have
concluded that this constitutes in a very large degree his greatness and his
glory.
There is a far deeper meaning in the inspired statement, however, than
we, perhaps, have understood. From the Lord's definition of intelligence we
discover that there is a vast difference between the meaning of intelligence
and that of knowledge. The former, while it includes the latter, is more
potent and has a greater significance. Intelligence is more than the capacity
to understand and communicate truth. The intelligent man glories in
righteousness not only does he know truth, but wisely applies it in all his
actions.
I fear we hear the quotation, "The Glory of God Is Intelligence," so
frequently, that we have failed to connect the rest of the thought associated
with it in the revelation, for this latter is seldom quoted. What follows in
the revelation is the Lord's explanation of the meaning of intelligence. The
complete thought is as follows:
The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and
truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. D.C. 93:36-37.
Again in verse 29, we read:
Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the
light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.
Pure intelligence, is then, light and truth, which is self-existing.
Moreover, intelligence forsakes the evil one. This being true,
intelligence and wickedness are not found associated together. A man may have
knowledge and be full of wickedness. In fact, he may use his knowledge to
further his evil designs. We have demonstrations of this every day, sometimes
in the most horrible manner. It is this truth which led the Prophet Joseph
Smith to say:
If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or
possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not
drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing
towards the devil. Yes, I am standing in the midst of all kinds of
people.
Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have
searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.
* * * If God should speak from heaven, he would command you not
to steal, not to commit adultery, not to covet, nor deceive, but be
faithful over a few things. As far as we degenerate from God, we
descend to the devil and lose knowledge, and without knowledge we
cannot be saved, and while our hearts are filled with evil, and we
are studying evil, there is no room in our hearts for good, or
studying good. Is not God good? Then you be good; if He is faithful,
then you be faithful. Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
and seek for every good thing.
The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all
iniquity. A man's saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he
does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some
evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more
knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the
earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge
of the things of God. D.H.C. 4:588.
We are further informed in the revelations that "light and truth"
emanates from God and fills the immensity of space. It is also spoken of as
the "light of Christ" (D.C. 88:7.) It is the light of the stars, the sun, the
earth, and the moon, and the power by which they were made. It "proceedeth
forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space" and is the
light which quickens all things and gives life to all things, as our Father in
heaven has ordained. (See D.C. 58:7-13.) Without the light of truth, which is
spoken of as intelligence, or that which quickens and gives life and light,
nothing could exist. Every man that is born into the world is blessed with
light and truth, as we read:
For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is
light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus
Christ; and the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into
the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world,
that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And everyone that
hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit, cometh unto God, even the
Father. D.C. 84:45-47.
Why is this so? Because intelligence, or the light of truth "forsaketh
that evil one."
The Lord has not left us to grope in darkness, but has given to every man
that is born with understanding the power to discern between good and evil,
truth and falsehood, through the power of the intelligence, light of truth, or
light of Christ born with him. However, as man departs from the truth, the
power of intelligence forsakes him and for that cause he does not come unto
God.
"I am the true light that enlighteneth every man that cometh into the
world," the Savior said. Every man, therefore, who will continue in light and
truth shall know the truth which will make him free. "Intelligence cleaveth
unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue
loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light," etc. Therefore every man who
possesses true intelligence will come unto God and live, for there can be no
wickedness associated with intelligence. Knowledge, on the other hand, does
not always contain the element of truth and virtue, or of honesty and
integrity.
Intelligence, then, is more potent than knowledge. While there is no
intelligence without knowledge, there is much knowledge without intelligent
application. Pure intelligence is an attribute of God which will create in the
heart of man a desire to come to the perfect knowledge of truth. He will
therefore seek wisdom and knowledge, that he may have power; but all his
efforts to know will be put forth to obtain glory, honor, and eternal life.
Thus he will eventually come to be like God and obtain a fullness of glory in
the celestial kingdom because he is intelligent.
Satan has great knowledge and therefore power, but he has no
intelligence, or light of truth, which is the Spirit of Christ. Because of his
knowledge he has influence among the children of men. Without knowledge he
would be without power. If he had intelligence, or the light of truth, which
comes only from God, he could not possibly be the adversary of all
righteousness.
President Joseph F. Smith stated this truth very clearly in a discourse
in the Ogden Tabernacle in the year 1913, summing up this whole matter:
Christ inherited his intelligence from his Father. There is a
difference between knowledge and pure intelligence. Satan possesses
knowledge, far more than we have, but he has not intelligence, or he
would render obedience to the principles of truth and right. I know
men who have knowledge, who understand the principles of the Gospel
as well as you do, who are brilliant, but lack the essential
qualification of pure intelligence. They will not accept and render
obedience thereto. Pure intelligence comprises not only knowledge,
but also the power to properly apply that knowledge.
Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence
was strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall
distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. D.C.121:45.
There is no ordinance connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ of
greater importance, of more solemn and sacred nature, and more necessary to
the eternal joy of man, than marriage. Yet there is no principle which has
been made the but of coarser jokes; a greater jest by the vulgar and the
unclean, and even by many who think themselves refined, than that of marriage.
Marriage is a principle which, when practiced, presents more serious
problems than any other. It should be received in the spirit of patience and
love, even that greater love which comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Nothing will prepare mankind for glory in the kingdom of God as readily as
faithfulness to the marriage covenant. Through this covenant, perhaps more
than through any other, we accomplish the perfect decree of the divine will;
but this covenant is only one of many required of man who seeks to do the will
of the Father.
If properly received this covenant becomes the means of the greatest
happiness. The greatest honor in this life; and in the life to come, honor,
dominion and power in perfect love; are the blessings which come out of it.
These blessings of eternal glory are held in reserve for those who are willing
to abide in this and all other covenant of the Gospel. Others shall not be so
blessed. Marriage is the grandest, most glorious and most exalting principle
connected with the Gospel. It is that which the Lord holds in reserve for
those who become his sons and daughters; all others are servants only, even if
they gain salvation. They do not become members of the household of our Father
and our God if they refuse to receive the celestial covenant of marriage.
The abuse of this ordinance has been the primary cause of the downfall of
nations. When the sacredness of the marriage covenant is lost, and the vows
are broken, destruction is inevitable. This principle cannot be received in
the spirit of contempt and indifference. It is ordained to be more, far more,
than a civil contract. No nation can survive the abuse of this principle.
Rome, Greece, Babylon, Egypt, and many other nations owe their downfall to the
breaking of the sacred covenant of marriage. The anger of a just God was
kindled against them for their immorality. The bones of dead civilizations of
this American continent bear silent but convincing evidence that it was
unchastity and the disregard of this sacred covenant which brought them to
their final judgment.
Nothing should be held in greater sacredness and honor than the covenant
by which the spirits of men the offspring of God in the spirit are
privileged to come into this world in mortal tabernacles. It is through this
principle that the blessing of immortal glory is made possible. The greatest
punishment ever given was proclaimed against Lucifer and his angels. To be
denied the privilege of mortal bodies forever is the greatest curse of all.
These spirits have no progress, no hope of resurrection and eternal life!
Doomed are they to eternal misery for their rebellion! And then to think that
we are not only privileged but commanded to assist our Father in the great
work of redemption by giving to his children, as we have obtained these
blessings for ourselves, the right to live and continue on even to perfection!
No innocent soul should be condemned to come into this world under a handicap
of illegitimacy. Every child has the right to be well born! Every individual
who denies them that right is guilty of a mortal sin.
The importance of these mortal tabernacles is apparent from the knowledge
we have of eternal life. Spirits cannot be made perfect without the body of
flesh and bones. This body and its spirit are brought to immortality and
blessings of salvation through the resurrection. After the resurrection there
can be no separation again, body and spirit become inseparably connected that
man may receive a fullness of joy. In no other way, other than through birth
into this life and the resurrection, can spirits become like our eternal
Father.
Since the kingdom of God is built upon the foundation of marriage and the
unity of the family circle, there can be no satisfaction where the family
circle is broken. Every soul is entitled to the right to come into this world
in a legitimate way in the way the Father has willed that souls should
come. Whosoever takes a course contrary to this is guilty of an almost
irreparable crime. Is there any wonder, then, that the Lord places the
violation of this covenant of marriage and the loss of virtue, as second only
to the shedding of innocent blood? Is there not, then, sufficient reason for
the severity of the punishment which has been promised those who violate this
eternal law?
Moreover, have we not forgotten in large measure the enormity of the
crime of unchastity, and breaking of marriage vows? Do those who are guilty
think the enormity of the offense of maliciously or wickedly tampering with
the laws of life, will be overlooked by a just, God? Do they think that only a
few stripes, or no punishment at all, will amend this broken law? The demand
for personal purity is made by the Church upon both men and women, equally.
There is no double standard of judgment. "If purity of life is neglected,"
President Joseph F. Smith once said, "all other dangers set in upon us like
the rivers of water when the flood gates are opened."
Sexual impurity is a most deadly sin. Anciently it was considered so, and
according to the laws of God, those found guilty were in danger of being put
to death. There are sins unto death John informs us, and this is one of them.
Said John:
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death,
he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto
death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray
for it.
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
I John 5:16-17.
Murder, the shedding of innocent blood, is a sin unto death, and Alma
taught Corianton that unchastity was second only to murder. These are his
words:
Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in
the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it
be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost? Alma
39:5.
President Joseph F. Smith, commenting on this teaching, has given us this
instruction:
We accept without reservation or qualification the affirmation
of Deity, through an ancient Nephite Prophet: For I, the Lord God,
delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination
before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. Jacob 2:28.
We hold that sexual sin is second only to the shedding of
innocent blood in the category of personal crimes; and that the
adulterer shall have no part in the exaltation of the blessed. * * *
He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her, or if any shall
commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but
shall deny the faith. Improvement Era 20:743.
We are not here to practice immorality of any kind. Above all
things, sexual immorality is most heinous in the sight of God. It is
on a par with murder itself, and God Almighty fixed the penalty of
the murderer at death: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his
blood be shed." Furthermore, he said that whosoever committed
adultery should be put to death. Therefore, we raise our voices
against sexual immorality, and against all manner of obscenity.
Gos. Doc., p. 391.
President Brigham Young was also very emphatic in his denunciation of
this evil, and we cannot be too emphatic in denouncing it. It is very
prevalent and an almost universal evil. The world is fast coming to its
destruction because of it. "Learn the will of God," said President Young,
"keep his commandments and do his will, and you will be a virtuous person."
How wonderful is the peace and joy which fills the soul of the virtuous
person! How terrible are the torments of the unvirtuous! They shall have no
place in the first resurrection. When the final judgment comes they are they
who remain "filthy still." They cannot enter the Holy City, they are the
"dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolators, and
whosoever loveth and maketh a lie," who are cast out.
President Young further said:
The defiler of the innocent is the one who should be branded
with infamy and cast out from respectable society, and shunned as a
pest, or as a contagious disease is shunned. The doors of
respectable families should be closed against him, and he should be
frowned upon by all high-minded and virtuous persons. Wealth,
influence and position should not screen him from their righteous
indignation. His sin is one of the blackest in the calendar of
crime, and he should be cast down from the high pinnacle of
respectability and consideration, to find his place among the worst
of felons. Discourses, p. 300.
When man was first placed upon this earth he was given the commandment to
"be fruitful and multiply." No more important commandment was ever given to
man, for, through honorable marriage are the spirits brought to earth. "There
are multitudes of pure and holy spirits waiting to take tabernacles, now what
is our duty?" said President Young. Then he answered his question thus: "To
prepare tabernacles for them; to take a course that will not tend to drive
those spirits into the families of the wicked, where they will be trained in
wickedness, debauchery, and every species of crime. It is the duty of every
righteous man and woman to prepare tabernacles for all the spirits they can."
Discourses, p. 305.
Instructing the mothers of the Church, President Joseph F. Smith said, in
June, 1917:
I regret, I think it is a crying evil, that there should exist
a sentiment or a feeling among any members of the Church to curtail
the birth of their children. I think that is a crime wherever it
occurs, where husband and wife are in possession of health and vigor
and are free from impurities that would be entailed upon their
posterity. I believe that where people undertake to curtail or
prevent the birth of their children that they are going to reap
disappointment by and by. I have no hesitancy in saying that I
believe this is one of the greatest crimes of the world today, this
evil practice. R. S. M. 4:318.
When young people marry and refuse to fulfill this commandment given in
the beginning of the world and just as much in force today they rob
themselves of the greatest eternal blessing. If the love of the world and the
wicked practices of the world mean more to a man and a woman than to keep the
commandment of the Lord in this respect, then they shut themselves of from the
eternal blessing of increase. Those who wilfully and maliciously design to
break this important commandment shall be damned. They cannot have the spirit
of the Lord. Small families is the rule today. Husbands and wives refuse to
take upon themselves the responsibilities of family life. Many of them do not
care to be bothered with children. Yet this commandment given to Adam has
never been abrogated or set aside. If we refuse to live by the covenants we
make, especially in the house of the Lord, then we cannot receive the
blessings of those covenants in eternity. If the responsibilities of
parenthood are wilfully avoided here, then how can the Lord bestow upon the
guilty the blessings of eternal increase? It cannot be, and they shall be
denied such blessings.
Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not
fulfilled?
I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the
blessing.
Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the
Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for
their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above. D.C. 58:31-33.
The world is rapidly coming to its end, that is, the end of the days of
wickedness. When it is fully ripe in iniquity the Lord will come in the clouds
of heaven to take vengeance on the ungodly, for his wrath is kindled against
them. Do not think that he delayeth his coming. Many of the signs of his
coming have been given, so we may, if we will, know that the day is even now
at our doors.
And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the
world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not
repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my
blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not. D.C. 29:17.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I
will make him an help meet for him. Gen. 2:18.
Marriage is considered by a great many people as merely a civil contract
or agreement between a man and a woman that they will live together in the
marriage relation. It is, in fact, an eternal principle upon which the very
existence of mankind depends. The Lord gave this law to man in the very
beginning of the world as a part of the Gospel law, and the first marriage was
to endure forever. According to the law of the Lord every marriage should
endure forever. If all mankind would live in strict obedience to the Gospel
and in that love which is begotten by the Spirit of the Lord, all marriages
would be eternal; divorce would be unknown.
Divorce is not part of the Gospel plan and has been introduced because of
the hardness of heart and unbelief of the people. When the Pharisees tempted
Christ saying: "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"
He answered them: "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning
made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father
and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder." Then when they asked why Moses
permitted divorce, the answer of the Lord was: "Moses because of the hardness
of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it
was not so." Matt. 19:3-8.
Moreover, what God joins together is eternal. Unfortunately, most of the
marriages performed are not by the will of God, but by the will of man.
Marriages among Latter-day Saints are eternal marriages, if they are properly
performed, because the Eternal Father gave the covenant of marriage which is
received by couples who go to the temple to receive this blessing there.
It is necessary that marriages be regulated by civil law. Under the
present world conditions the state must have power to form the laws governing
marriages because of their close connection with the social structure of the
state. Nevertheless it is a religious principle and the power should never be
taken from ministers of religion, even in the apostate condition of the world,
to perform the marriage rite. When the kingdom of God is set up on the earth
in all its fullness, and Christ comes to reign, marriage, like all other
ordinances, will be controlled by the law of God. When that day comes
marriages will not then be performed "only until death" shall separate the
husband and the wife, for marriage shall be eternal. Under present conditions
when "the powers that be" have jurisdiction in the earth, all men, no matter
what their religious beliefs or lack of them may be, must be subject to the
governments which exist. When Christ comes he will bring the "perfect law of
liberty" and in it all the faithful will be made free and happy.
The Lord has given to the Church definite instructions in relation to
this sacred principle which is so essential to the happiness of man. It is the
duty of all members of the Church to accept the regulations of the Church.
There is in the Church a ceremony which gives to the covenanting parties
blessings which do not end with death. Marriage as understood by Latter-day
Saints is a covenant ordained to be everlasting. It is the foundation for
eternal exaltation, for without it there could be no progress in the kingdom
of God.
The idea which is almost universal that marriage is a contract which must
end at death, did not originate with our Eternal Father. It was introduced by
the enemy of truth who has sworn to overthrow the kingdom of righteousness if
he can. The first marriage ever performed on this earth was performed before
there was any death, and the thought of death and a separation did not enter
into it. Members of the Church have been constantly taught the sacredness of
the marriage covenant, but it appears that there are some among our young
people who are growing up in ignorance of this fact. We shall therefore quote
from some authorities who have emphatically and officially spoken.
Paul declared that,"Neither is the man without the woman, neither the
woman without the man, in the Lord." And the Lord said he would give the man a
companion who would be a help meet for him. That is a help who would answer
all the requirements, not only of companionship, but through whom the fullness
of the purposes of the Lord could be accomplished regarding the mission of man
through mortal life and into eternity. Neither the man nor the woman were
capable of filling the measure of their creation alone. The union of the two
was required to complete man in the image of God. (Compendium, p. 118.) The
Lord said, "Let's make man in our image, after our likeness. * * * So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and
female created he them." Gen. 1:26-27.
Moreover when the woman was presented to the man, Adam said, "This
(woman) is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." From this we
understand that his union with Eve was to be everlasting. The Savior confirmed
this doctrine when he said to the Jews: "For this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one
flesh. Therefore they are no more twain, but one flesh." (Matt. 19:5-6.) Then
how can husband and wife be separated as we find them so frequently among the
people today, and be justified in the sight of God? When a man and his wife
separate the law of God has been broken.
The Prophet Joseph taught that, "marriage was an institution of heaven,
instituted in the garden of Eden," and that "it is necessary it should be
solemnized by the authority of the everlasting Priesthood." (D.H.C. 2: 320.)
He also taught:
Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant
and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power
and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase
when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the
resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority
of the priesthood in this life, and continue without committing the
sin against the Holy Ghost, will continue to increase and have
children in the celestial glory. D.H.C. 5:391.
President Joseph F. Smith has said:
Many people imagine that there is something sinful in marriage;
there is an apostate tradition to that effect. This is a false and
very harmful idea. On the contrary, God not only commends but be
commands marriage. While man was yet immortal, before sin had
entered the world, our heavenly Father himself performed the first
marriage. He united our first parents in the bonds of holy
matrimony, and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply and
replenish the earth. This command he has never changed, abrogated or
annulled; but it has continued in force throughout all the
generations of mankind.
Without marriage the purposes of God would be frustrated so far
as this world is concerned, for there would be none to obey his
other commands.
There appears to be a something beyond and above the reasons
apparent to the human mind why chastity brings strength and power to
the peoples of the earth, but it is so.
Today a flood of iniquity is overwhelming the civilized world.
One great reason therefor is the neglect of marriage; it has lost
its sanctity in the eyes of the great majority. It is at best a
civil contract, but more often an accident or a whim, or a means of
gratifying the passions. And when the sacredness of the covenant is
ignored or lost sight of, then a disregard of the marriage vows,
under the present moral training of the masses, is a mere
triviality, a trifling indiscretion.
The neglect of marriage, this tendency to postpone its
responsibilities until middle life that so perniciously affects
Christendom is being felt in the midst of the Saints. Gos. Doc.,
pp. 343-344.
I want the young men of Zion to realize that this institution
of marriage is not a man-made institution. It is of God. It is
honorable, and no man who is of marriageable age is living his
religion who remains single. It's not simply devised for the
convenience alone of man, to suit his own notions, and his own
ideas; to marry and then divorce, to adopt and then to discard, just
as he pleases. There are great consequences connected without,
consequences which reach beyond this present time into all eternity,
for thereby souls are begotten into the world, and men and women
obtain their being in the world. Marriage is the preserver of the
human race. Without it, the purposes of God would be frustrated;
virtue would be destroyed to give place to vice and corruption, and
the earth would be void and empty. Gos. Doc., pp. 341-2.
President Smith said on several occasions that he would rather take his
children one by one to the grave in their innocence and purity, knowing that
they would come forth to inherit the fullness of celestial glory, than to have
them marry outside of the Church, or even outside the temple of the Lord. Why
should he have been so emphatic? Because he had perfect knowledge of what
marriage, according to the law of the Lord, means, and because he knew the
consequences attending the rejection of this covenant in the house of the
Lord. For those who refuse to receive this ordinance as the Lord ordained
cannot enter into the fullness of celestial glory. This is what the Lord has
spoken:
All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows,
performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are
not made and entered into and sealed by the holy spirit of promise,
of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity,
and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the
medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold
this power * * * are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after
the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made
unto this end have an end when men are dead. D.C. 132:7.
Then the Lord adds that his house is a house of order and not a house of
confusion and he will accept only that which he has appointed; and that "No
man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith
the Lord." Every thing which is in the world that is ordained by men and which
is not by the word of the Lord, must be thrown down, and "shall not remain
after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your
God."
When a man marries a wife by his word and they are sealed by his
authority, "they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there,
to their exaltation and glory in all things," "as hath been sealed upon their
heads, which glory shall be a fullness and of continuation of the seeds
forever and ever."
Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore
shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they
continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are
subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all
power, and the angels are subject unto them. D.C. 132:20.
In order to obtain these blessings, obedience must be given to the
marriage covenant ordained by the Lord. "For strait is the gate, and narrow
the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and
few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world, neither do
ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and
shall receive your exaltation; that where I am, ye shall be also." D.C.
132: 22-23.
The Lord has explained also the significant meaning of eternal lives in
this instruction:.
This is eternal lives to know the only wise and true God,
and Jesus Christ; whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore,
my law. D.C. 132:24.
The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and
remain faithful to the end, that they shall "have no end," means that they
shall have the power will of eternal increase. Only those who have this power
will truly "know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath
sent." Others may see the Lord and may be instructed by him, but they will not
truly know him or his Father unless they become like them.
Who desires to enter the eternal world and be a servant when the promise
is held out that we may be sons and daughters of God? Yet there will be the
vast majority who will enter into the eternal world as servants, and not as
sons, and this merely because they think more of the world and its covenants
than they do of God and his covenants. Simply because in their blindness of
heart, they refuse to keep these sacred and holy commandments. Oh what
bitterness there will be in the day of judgment when every man receives his
reward according to his works!
The following excerpts are from a discourse by Elder Orson Pratt:
The Lord ordained marriage between male and female as a law
through which spirits should come here and take tabernacles, and
enter into the second state of existence. The Lord himself
solemnized the first marriage pertaining to this globe, and
pertaining to flesh and bones here upon this earth. I do not say
pertaining to mortality; for when the first marriage was celebrated,
no mortality was here. The first marriage that we have any account
of, was between two immortal beings; * * * they were immortal
beings; death had no dominion, no power over them. * * *
What would you consider, my hearers, if a marriage was to be
celebrated between two beings not subject to death? Would you
consider them joined together for a certain number of years, and
that then all their covenants were to cease forever, and the
marriage contract be dissolved? Would it look reasonable and
consistent? No. Every heart would say that the work of God is
perfect in and of itself, and inasmuch as sin had not brought
imperfect; on upon the globe, what God joined together could not be
dissolved, and destroyed, and torn asunder by any power beneath the
celestial world, consequently it was eternal; the ordinance of union
was eternal; the sealing of the great Jehovah upon Adam and Eve was
eternal in its nature, and was never instituted for the purpose of
being overthrown and brought to an end.
It's known that the "Mormons" are a peculiar people about
marriage; we believe in marrying, not only for time, but for all
eternity. This is a curious idea, says one, to be married for all
eternity. It is not curious at all; for when we come to examine the
scriptures, we find that the very best example set for the whole
human family, as a pattern instituted for us to follow, was not
instituted until death, for death had no dominion at that time; but
it was an eternal blessing pronounced upon our first parents.
From
The following instruction comes from President Brigham Young:
When a man and a woman have received their endowments and
sealings, and then have children born to them afterwards, those
children are legal heirs to the kingdom and to all its blessings,
and promises, and they are the only ones that are on this earth.
There is not a young man in our community who would not be willing
to travel from here to England to be married right, if he understood
things as they are; there is not a young woman in our community, who
loves the gospel and wishes its blessings, that would be married in
any other way; they would live unmarried until they could be married
as they should be, if they lived until they were as old as Sarah
before she had Isaac born to her. Many of our brethren have married
off their children without taking this into consideration, and
thinking it a matter of little importance. I wish we all understood
this in the light in which heaven understands it. * * *
How is it with you, sisters? Do you distinguish between a man
of God and a man of the world? It is one of the strangest things
that happens in my existence, to think that any man or woman can
love a being that will not receive the truth of heaven. The love
this Gospel produces is far above the love of women; it is the love
of God the love of eternity of eternal lives. Discourses,
pp. 302-4.
Be careful, O ye mothers in Israel, and do not teach your
daughters in future, as many of them have been taught, to marry out
of Israel. Woe to you who do it; you will lose your crowns as sure
as God lives. Discourses, p. 304.
Such timely instruction and information could be multiplied into many
pages, but we will let this suffice. May all Latter-day Saint fathers and
mothers see to it that they teach their children the sacredness of the
marriage covenant. Let them impress upon their children that in no other way
than by honoring the covenants of God, among which the covenant of eternal
marriage is one of the greatest and most mandatory, can they obtain, the
blessings of eternal lives. If they refuse to receive this ordinance and other
blessings of the House of God, then shall they be cut of from these higher
blessings. They shall wear no crown; they shall have no rule and sway no
scepter; they shall be denied the fullness of knowledge and power, and like
the prodigal son, they may return again to their Father's house, but it will
be as servants, not to inherit as sons. If they will be true to these
commandments, their glory and exaltation shall have no bounds "all things
are theirs, * * * and they are Christ's and Christ is God's. And they shall
overcome all things." D.C. 76:59-60.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his
God, and he shall be my son. Rev. 21:7.
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High.
Psalms 82:6.
Marriage, we have learned, is an eternal principle ordained before the
foundation of the world and instituted on this earth before death came into
it. Our first parents were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth. It
naturally follows that the family organization was also intended to be
eternal. In the plan prepared for this earth the laws governing in the
celestial world became the foundation. The great work and glory of the, Lord
is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The only way
this can be done is through marriage and the family, in fact this is the
eternal order among the exalted and has been worlds without end.
What could be a greater calamity, or bring deeper sorrow, than to be left
in the eternal world without claim on father or mother or children? How can
peace and contentment come to the soul who has been married for time only, and
who rears a family of children whom he loves and cherishes, when he knows that
in the eternal world, after the resurrection, he will have no claim on them
nor they on him? Is any man content with this doctrine which is erroneously
believed to be a teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ? Does any man receive
consolation and does he resign himself to the thought that it is right, simply
because it is a universal teaching? Does the fact that it is taught by almost
all the churches make it true? It is safe to say that the heart of any honest
father or mother rebels against such a dreadful thought. Every true mother
wants her children in eternity. Every true father wants his wife and children.
Their hearts yearn for the continuation of the reunited family on the other
side of the grave. Think of the orations delivered, of the poems written, in
which the hope is expressed that this so-called Christian doctrine is not
true, that there is no marriage, nor family relationship after the
resurrection.
Where is the parent who has laid a loved one, an innocent child, in the
cold and silent grave, who has not yearned for it and hoped that he or she
might have it back again? Shall we say to such a parent, "Your little child is
lost to you for ever! You may perhaps see it again, but it will not be your
child; you will have no claim on it henceforth for ever; there is no family
relationship in heaven; we will all recognize each other merely as strangers
in the world to come?" Is there any consolation in such thoughts as these?
Verily no! It is not true! A more reprehensible doctrine was never taught! And
to think that such an evil doctrine is promulgated in the name of Jesus
Christ, who is the embodiment of eternal love! This vile teaching is another
of the doctrines of the devil. He it is who instilled it into the hearts of
men. It was not taught in the beginning, nor at any time when the true Gospel
was on the earth. The mystery is, how could Satan introduce such a thought,
when the hearts of men are created naturally to love their own? How could the
Lord "wipe away all tears" if parents and children are to be estranged forever
in eternity? How could he bring joy if there are to be no family associations
with loved ones in the kingdom of God? Out upon such wickedness! Our loving
Eternal Father is not the author of such a miserable doctrine.
The continuation of the marriage covenant, and the family as a unit, was
the crowning blessing in the restoration of the keys by the prophet Elijah. If
there were no family organization approved of then the whole earth would be
under a curse at the day of the coming of the Lord. What would be the need of
the hearts of the fathers turning to their children and the hearts of the
children to the fathers, if they were not to be united by some eternal union?
It is the family eternally organized according to the law of God, which will
save the earth from utter destruction when that great and dreadful day of the
Lord shall come. The keys are here by which all who will may make perpetual
their family relationship. Marriage is eternal as a part of life. The family
must be also. Logically there can be no marriage without the family. Nor can
there be full peace, joy and blessing in the kingdom of God, unless parents
and children are eternally bound by covenant to each other.
Neither is it enough that the family unit be preserved. Each generation
must be joined to the one which went before. It cannot be otherwise in the
kingdom of God where the fullness is attained. This means that each
generation, linked to the preceding generation, becomes a unit in the whole
and complete body of Christ, or family organization. This explains what is
meant by Adam being the "father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of
days." (D.C. 27:11.) Adam shall preside as the grand patriarch of the race, we
are informed by Joseph Smith, but he shall be under the direction of the
eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ. (D.C. 78: 15-16.) Adam presides, and
each patriarch is to preside under him from generation to generation, down to
the end of time in one grand family. These relationships are real, not
artificial. All who partake of this family organization are in the celestial
kingdom. They are heirs in that kingdom receiving and possessing all the
blessings of heirs.
Outside of this kingdom, there is no marriage for there the family
relationship does not exist. Why? Because those who enter in the telestial and
the terrestrial worlds, have not been willing to abide by this sacred and
eternal covenant of marriage. Their covenants and obligations were man-made,
therefore they must come to an end. The teaching in the world that there shall
be no family relationship, no marriage, no claim by parents upon their
children, will prove to be verily true to all who reject the counsel and
commandment of the #mighty. They shall receive what they have believed, but it
will be no fault of our Eternal Father's; it will be the fault of those who
partake of the lesser blessings, because they would not receive the covenants
of the Lord. No man need be a servant unless he wills to disobey. All may
enter the grand circle of the family in the celestial kingdom, if they will.
Either way is open to us all. Few find the strait and narrow way which leadeth
to the exaltation and the eternal lives, which is the family order, because
their minds are set upon the things of this world, and they refuse to accept
the things which pertain to the celestial world. "Broad is the gate" and many
enter into the wide path which will take them, no matter what other blessings
they receive, into a world where marriage and family unity and privileges do
not exist.
Think of the torment, the mental anguish they will suffer who see this
mistake too late! Think of the suffering of those who refuse to enter into the
eternal covenant of marriage by which the "continuation of the seeds forever
and ever" is attained, when this blessing is offered them. The Lord, in his
mercy, will make them as happy as he can, but where he is, they cannot come.
Paul taught the Saints in Rome this doctrine:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also
glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom. 8:14-18.
If we are the sons of God then he is our Father. Christ taught this
doctrine to his disciples. I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my
God, and your God." Does not this mean family organization? Can we be heirs
and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, and not be sons? If sons, then we are
members of the family. This is the hope we have in God our Father. O how great
is his love for his children!
It is written in the scriptures: "For this cause (the Gospel) I bow my
knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in
heaven and earth is named." (Eph. 3:14-15.) So we see that there is a family
organization in heaven, and part of it on earth, but in both places it is
named after God the Father of Jesus Christ. And why not, since those in heaven
and all on earth who have made the covenant are his heirs?
Speaking of this great privilege of making the family organization
eternal, the Prophet Joseph Smith said:
The doctrine of sealing power of Elijah is as follows: If you
have power to seal on earth and in heaven, then we should be wise.
The first thing you do, go and seal on earth your sons and daughters
unto yourself, and yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory." * *
* I will walk through the gate of heaven and claim what I seal, and
those that follow me and my counsel. D.H.C. 6:253.
President Young instructed the Saints as follows:
We understand that we are to be made kings and priests unto
God;now if I be made the king and lawgiver to my family, and if I
have many sons, I shall become the father of many fathers, for they
will have sons, and their sons will have sons, and so on, from
generation to generation, and in this way, I may become the father
of many fathers or the king of many kings. This will constitute
every man a prince, king, lord, or whatever the Father sees fit to
confer upon us. Discourses, p. 302.
President Joseph F. Smith has said:
Our associations are not exclusively intended for this life,
for time, as we distinguish it from eternity. We live for time and
for eternity. We form associations and relations for time and all
eternity. Our affections and our desires are found fitted and
prepared to endure not only throughout the temporal or mortal life,
but through all eternity. Who are there besides the Latter-day
Saints who contemplate the thought that beyond the grave we will
continue in the family organization? the father, the mother, and
children recognizing each other in the relations which they owe to
each other and in which they stand to each other? this family
organization being a unit in the great and perfect organization of
God's work, and all destined to continue throughout time and
eternity? Gos. Doc., p. 348.
* * * *
Nobody has more interest in the welfare of my own children than
I have. I cannot be satisfied without them. They are part of me.
They are mine; God has given them to me, and I want them to be
humble and submissive to the requirements of the Gospel. I want them
to do right, and to be right in every particular, so that they will
be worthy of the distinction that the Lord has given them in being
numbered among his covenant people who are choice above all other
people, because they have made sacrifice for their own salvation in
the truth. Ibid. 348-349.
The hope of eternal life, including the reuniting of the members of the
family when the resurrection comes, brings to the heart greater love and
affection for each member of the family. With this hope, husbands are inclined
to love their wives with a stronger and more holy love; and wives in like
manner love their husbands. The tender feeling and solicitude on the part of
parents for their children is increased, for the children become endeared to
them with bands of love and happiness which cannot & broken.
Nothing is more pitiful than to see a broken, dismembered family, where
husband and wife have separated and children know not what to do. Sad are the
stories which come to the officials in the temples and difficult are the
problems which they are asked to unravel. Parents, think of your children. Do
not let petty troubles, trifling difficulties and misunderstandings come
between you. Children have a right to the blessings of the sacred union, love
and happiness, which belong to the family. They have an eternal claim upon
their parents, and when those parents through some foolishness, some whim or
needless anger, permit themselves to be separated, the children are the
greatest sufferers. What will the Lord do with you if you are guilty of this
far-reaching offense? What will become of your children? Do you think the Lord
will countenance your evil in which so many are made to suffer? Do you think
that you can make another covenant, when you have not been justified in the
breaking of a former covenant which brought misery to the children God
entrusted to your care? Do not be deceived; the Father will not be mocked, nor
will he permit us to trample his holy ordinances under our feet at will,
simply because of some trifling dissatisfaction. There will have to be many
adjustments and our plans, if they are not in harmony with the law the Lord
has given, will not stand in and after the resurrection. Some of us may find
that we have deprived ourselves of these eternal blessings because of our
petty and evil actions. Let us beware how we hold the covenants of the Lord,
lest we be judged and, being found guilty, lose the whole.
For there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall he called Zion, a New
Jerusalem. Moses 7:62.
From the time of the organization of the Church until now the Latter-day
Saints have been looking forward to the day of the building of the city New
Jerusalem with its holy sanctuary. Early in 1830 some speculation arose over
the building of this city which, the saints learned from the Book of Mormon,
was to be built upon this American continent.
Ether was shown in vision many things even down to the close of time. He
was shown the city of Jerusalem in Palestine and the ministry of Jesus Christ.
He was also taught that there should be a holy city built upon this land of
promise in the latter days. Moroni, in recording what Ether saw, has given us
the following:
For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether; for he truly
told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and that after
the waters had receded from off the face of this land (i.e. this
western continent) it became a choice land above all other lands, a
chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men
should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof;
And that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should
come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord.
Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a
New Jerusalem upon this land.
And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the
Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come after it should be
destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord;
wherefore, it could not be a New Jerusalem for it had been in a time
of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of
the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel.
And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land,
unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has
been a type.
For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt,
even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the
seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be
merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even
as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish
not.
Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built
upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and
they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the
Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the
end come when the earth shall pass away.
And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they be
shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all,
things have become new.
And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who
dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the
blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the
remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants
thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of
the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from
the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and
are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with
their father, Abraham. Ether 13:2-11.
When the Savior visited the Nephites he spoke of the New Jerusalem on
this land, and said:.
And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the
fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and
it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in
the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.
3 Nephi 20:22.
For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day
whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I
cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;
And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon
the heathen, such as they have not heard.
But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden
not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they
shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the
remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their
inheritance;
And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also
as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a
city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered
in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New
Jerusalem.
And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I
also will be in the midst.
And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day,
even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this
people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the
Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the
tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of
Jerusalem.
Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my
people, with the Father, to prepare the way whereby they may come
unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.
Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father, among
all nations, in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered
home to the land of their inheritance.
And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go
out in haste nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the
Father, and I will be their rearward. 3 Nephi 21:20-29.
This western continent is known as the land of Joseph and is also
designated as the land of Zion. Isaiah and other ancient prophets have so
referred to it. The holy city which is to be built upon this land is sometimes
called the City of Zion. We should keep in mind that these terms City of Zion
and New Jerusalem, have reference to the same sanctified place whence shall go
forth the law as the word of the Lord shall go forth from Jerusalem.
Enoch's city was also called Zion, which means by interpretation, the
pure in heart. The Lord said to Enoch:
And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth
will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only
Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the
resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to
sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the
four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an
Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking
forth for the time of my coming, for there shall be my tabernacle,
and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city
meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom and they
shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall
upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;
And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which
shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made, and for
the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest. Moses
7:62-64.
When Christ comes in fulfillment of this promise, there will be on the
earth two great cities made holy, with their holy sanctuaries, or temples. One
will be the city of Jerusalem in the land of Judah, which is to be rebuilt;
the other the city of Zion, or the New Jerusalem, in the land of Joseph.
When it was made known that the New Jerusalem was to be built in America,
the Saints began to wonder where the city would be. Hiram Page, one of the
witnesses of the Book of Mormon, secured a "peep stone" by means of which he
claimed to receive revelation for the Church. Among the things he attempted to
make known was where the city was to be built. Considerable commotion
naturally prevailed, and even Oliver Cowdery, was deceived into accepting what
Hiram Page had given. The Prophet Joseph Smith had some difficulty in
correcting this evil and composing the minds of the members of the Church.
Good came out of this incident, however, for the Lord made known that there
was but one at a time who was empowered with the gift of receiving revelation
for the Church, and this was to be a law by which the Church should be
governed. In this same revelation the Lord corrected the false teaching of
Hiram Page and informed the Church that the site for the New Jerusalem had not
been revealed, but when it was revealed it would be on the "borders of the
Lamanites." Oliver Cowdery was appointed to go on a mission to the Lamanites
and, later, Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson were called to accompany him. In
this way the Gospel message was taken into Jackson County, Missouri.
Early in 1831, the headquarters of the Church were transferred from
Fayette, New York, to Kirtland, Ohio, where the Lord said he would give to the
Church his law, and where they should be endowed with power from on high.
(D.C. 38:32.) The Lord also promised to reveal 'to the Saints the place of
their inheritance: "And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it
for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children
forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in
eternity, no more to pass away."
When the members of the Church gathered to Kirtland the Lord gave them
his law. He also gave instruction for the purpose of preparing them for their
inheritance. He called upon the elders to go forth declaring his word "into
the regions westward," and to build up his Church, "until the time shall come
when it shall be revealed unto you from on high when the city of the New
Jerusalem shall be prepared, that ye may be gathered in one that ye may be my
people and I will be your God." The bishop of the Church was instructed in
relation to the property of the Saints; the care of the store-house; in
looking after the wants of the poor and needy, and also in laying up funds for
the purchase of lands and the building up of the New Jerusalem, the site of
which was soon to be revealed. Early in June, 1831, a conference was held in
Kirtland. At the close of this conference, June 7th, the Lord said: "I, the
Lord, will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time
until the next conference, which shall be held in Missouri, upon the land
which I will consecrate unto my people, which are a remnant of Jacob, and
those who are heirs according to the covenant. * * * And thus, even as I have
said, if ye are faithful ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon
the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the
land of your enemies. But, behold, I, the Lord, will hasten the city in its
time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing." D.C. 52:2,
42-43.
Obedient to this commandment, the elders journeyed forth two by two, and
in due time arrived in Jackson County, Missouri. There, in answer to their
earnest prayer, the Lord revealed the site of the New Jerusalem and the place
for the building of this temple, or holy sanctuary, which had been seen by
Enoch and also by Ether, as being established in the last days. In making this
site known the Lord said: "Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, saith the Lord
your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my
commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land
which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints.
Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion."
(D.C. 57: 1-2.) The place for the building of the temple was then pointed out.
On August 2, 1831, the land was dedicated by Sidney Rigdon as a possession and
inheritance for the Saints, and the following day the Prophet Joseph Smith
dedicated the site for the temple on a spot a short distance west of the court
house in Independence.
That the New Jerusalem, or City of Zion, was to be built at once and the
temple erected also, was naturally the thought of the assembled brethren. The
Lord had previously given them a commandment respecting their , duties and had
instructed them in relation to his law to be observed in Zion. He indicated,
also, that the city was not to be built at that time. "Ye cannot behold with
your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning
those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow
after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings.
Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is
not yet, but is nigh at hand." D.C. 58:3-4.
It is true that the Lord would have blessed the saints and would have
commenced the establishment of the Holy City at that time, had they hearkened
faithfully to his commandments, but from these words of the Lord it is plain
to see that the glory of Zion was future, although in the spiritual sense
"near at hand." In other revelations it was made plain that the elders would
have to be endowed with power from on high, and go forth to declare the Gospel
to the nations, and "push the people together from the ends of the earth,"
before Zion could be built. So the Lord in the very beginning instructed the
saints that the building of the New Jerusalem and its sacred temple would be
deferred until many other things were accomplished and they had passed through
much tribulation.
Over one hundred years have passed since the site of Zion was dedicated
and the spot for the temple was chosen, and some of the members of the Church
seem to be fearful lest the word of the Lord should fail. Others have tried to
convince themselves that the original plan has been changed, and that the Lord
does not require at our hands this mighty work which has been predicted by the
prophets of ancient times. We have not been released from this responsibility,
nor shall we be. The word of the Lord will not fail. If we look back and
examine his word carefully we will discover that nothing has failed of all
that he has predicted, neither shall one jot or tittle pass away unfulfilled.
It is true that the Lord commanded the saints to build to his name a temple in
Zion. This they attempted to do, but were prevented by their enemies, so the
Lord did not require the work at their hands at that time. The release from
the building of the temple in 1833, did not, however, cancel the
responsibility of building the city and the house of the Lord, at some future
time. When the Lord is ready for it to be accomplished, he will command his
people, and the work will be done.
In a revelation given September 22 and 23, 1832, the Lord said:
Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New
Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning
at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be
reared in this generation.
For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an
house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it,
which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill
the house. D.C. 84:4-5.
Various interpretations have been given to the term "generation." There
are those who hold that a generation is one hundred years; that it cannot mean
more nor less; others maintain a generation to be one hundred and twenty
years. Some references in the scriptures indicate that the term should be
applied to those who are living at any one period of time, or the people of
the same period or age. It seems to me, however, that the meaning should be
interpreted by the reading of the context. When the Lord said, "These are the
generations of the heavens and of the earth," he had something more in mind
than a period of time of one hundred years. When the Savior said: "An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign," he had in mind the people, not a
period of time. So it appears, we may be justified in concluding that the
expression in the aforementioned revelation: "For verily this generation shall
not all pass," has references to those then living, not a period of one
hundred years. I firmly believe that there will be some of that generation who
were living when this revelation was given who shall be living when this
temple is reared. And I do not believe that the Lord has bound himself to
accomplish the matter within one hundred years from 1832, but he has the power
to accomplish this at such time as he wills.
No matter what the correct interpretation may be, the fact remains that
the City Zion, or New Jerusalem, will eventually be built in Jackson County,
Missouri, and the temple of the Lord will also be constructed. I have full
confidence in the word of the Lord and that it shall not fail.
Neither will the Lord call upon those who are cut of from his people to
accomplish his holy work. The temple will not be built by those who say that
Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet, and who have failed to accept the fullness
of the word of the Lord as it came through him. No people will be commanded
and directed by revelation from the Lord to build his temple, when they know
nothing of temple building and the ordinances performed in temples. The
Latter-day Saints may be assured that when the time comes for the building of
the house of the Lord, he will call upon his people who have remained true and
have been faithful in the purposes of the Lord in bringing to pass the
salvation of the living and of the dead. We may be doubly sure that the Lord
did not send Elijah the prophet with the keys of the sealing ordinances which
are performed, in the temple, so that the earth will not be smitten with a
curse when the Redeemer shall come, and then call into favor a people who
rejected the coming of Elijah and all the authority and keys he was sent to
bestow, and ask them to build the temple of the Lord.
Those who hold the portion of the temple site where the dedication took
place in 1831 are without divine authority. We may say of them as the Lord
said to them of old: "Woe unto you * * * for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven
against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are
entering to go in." When the Lord shall speak, the way will be opened for the
accomplishment of his purposes, and all opposition will melt as the hoar-frost
before the rising sun. "For thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in
righteousness, for the days come that I will send forth judgment unto
victory." (D.C. 52:11.) "Behold I will hasten my work in its time." D.C.
88:73.
And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth
shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by
my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens. D.C.
132:46.
And whosoever doth not hear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my
disciple. Luke 14:27.
The definition given in the dictionary of "consecration" is "the act of
consecration, or setting apart as sacred," of anything to the service of God.
It is to make holy or to sanctify either life or property, or both. The Lord
requires of those who follow him that they bear their cross and give service,
even to the laying down of their lives, should that be required. According to
the translation given in Luke, Jesus said to the multitude which followed him,
many of whom came from curiosity to see some miracle performed or to receive
loaves and fishes, but not in the true spirit of worship and desire for the
truth:
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and
wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life
also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me,
cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27.
To say that his disciples must hate all that is dear to them is surely a
hard saying. But we discover from other interpretations of the doctrine (Matt.
10:37-38) that the meaning is that anyone who loves his father, mother, wife,
and all that is dear to him, even his own life, more than he loves Christ, is
not worthy of him and cannot be his disciple. The thought is very clear in
this instruction that all who seek eternal life are required to come to Christ
willing to give up all that they possess, if necessary. Should they be
unwilling to do so, even to the laying down of life in his cause, then they
are not worthy of his kingdom. This is reasonable; no unjust demand is made by
our Savior, for he came and laid down his life for us that we might have life
everlasting. He suffered for us; should we not love him more than we love our
own lives?
Moreover, he taught us that he who seeks to save his life shall lose it,
but he who is willing to lose his life, or give it to his service even though
it should bring death, shall find life eternal. We cannot expect to obtain all
that has been promised us of glory, dominion, and might to become sons of
God and possess the glory of his kingdom unless we are willing to
consecrate all that we have unto the service of the Lord. Any other course
would be inconsistent; he who attempts to find his way into that kingdom of
glory to sit down on a throne in exaltation, without being willing to obey
this law, shall fall short of this blessing. He is not worthy of it and must
take some inferior place because he is not entitled to become a member of "the
Church of the First-born." "He cannot be my disciple," said our Redeemer.
We read in the Pearl of Great Price how Enoch was called to cry
repentance, and through his diligent labors be gathered together those who
were willing to make covenant to serve the Lord. These made covenant to obey
the celestial law, or the law of consecration, for this is a celestial law,
and the celestial kingdom is governed by it. They were willing to give all
that they had, even their lives to the kingdom of God. The result was that
they became so righteous that they walked with God, and "he dwelt in the midst
of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into
his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is fled." Moses
7:69.
This same law was given in its fullness to the saints in early days and
they also were commanded to have all things in common, or, to practice the
"United Order" which had been given to Enoch, and to the Nephites after the
Savior visited them. But the saints at that time were weak spiritually and
failed to keep this commandment. Due to this failure they were caused to
suffer persecution and failed to redeem Zion, which they might have done at
that time had they strictly followed this law of consecration.
The Lord said to them: "But it is not given that one man should possess
that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin." (D.C. 49:20.)
For this reason the Savior commanded the saints to have all things in common.
Each member was to be made a steward and be held accountable for his
stewardship. In relation to this law we read:
Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his
stewardship, even as I, the Lord, have appointed or shall hereafter
appoint unto any man.
And behold, none are exempt from this law who belong to the
church of the living God;
Yea, neither the bishop, neither the agent who keepeth the
Lord's storehouse, neither he who is appointed in a stewardship over
temporal things.
He who is appointed to administer spiritual things, the same is
worthy of his hire, even as those who are appointed to a stewardship
to administer in temporal things. * * *
Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and
this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations
of the Spirit shall be withheld. D.C. 70:9-12, 14.
This was the law given to the saints that "you may be equal," the Lord
said, "in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the
obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye
cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; For if you will that I give unto
you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the
things which I have commanded you and required of you. And now, verily thus
saith the Lord, it is expedient that all things be done unto my glory, by you
who are joined together in this order." (D.C. 78:5-8; cf. 104:1.) This order
was appointed to the saints to be an everlasting order (D.C. 82:20), but the
saints at that time were not prepared to live this celestial law, therefore
the Lord took it from them and said:
And let those commandments which I have given concerning Zion
and her law be executed and fulfilled, after her redemption. D.C.
105:34.
In the stead of this higher law, the Lord gave to the saints a
schoolmaster, as he did ancient Israel to teach them and bring them to the
fullness of the Gospel of Christ. This is the law of tithing. But it should be
understood that the law of consecration has never been abrogated or set aside,
which is that we shall love him above all else and be willing to lay down our
lives or forsake all that we have or hold dear for his sake, if it should be
required. That law is just as binding upon members of the Church today as when
first uttered by Christ in the days of his ministry. He has, however, released
us from the necessity of consecrating all of our properties to the Church in
the "united order" at this time.
Tithing, the lesser law given instead of this united order, is just as
much a requirement of the saints as any other law, if we would obtain
exaltation. No man is forced to pay one-tenth of that which he receives, but
no man is entitled to the blessings of the celestial kingdom who refuses to
pay his honest tithing, and who has tithing to pay. The Lord said those who
refused to obey the celestial law of revenue, and to enter this "united order"
should be unworthy of membership, and those who were not willing to lay down
their lives, or take up their cross and follow him could not be his disciples.
How, then, can a man be a disciple of the Lord who refuses to keep a lesser
law, an easier law to keep than the giving of all that he has?
Does any man think that he can violate the law of tithing the paying
of one-tenth of his increase or income, and do this year after year, and then
be prepared to enter into the "united order" and accept the full law of
consecration, when Christ comes? Verily no! If a man will not pay tithing he
shall not have the Privilege of entering into the higher law which belongs to
the celestial kingdom. (D.C. 64:23.) The parable of the ten virgins presents
the condition which shall prevail in the kingdom of heaven (Church) when
Christ comes. Some will be ready through the performance of good works and
obedience to the words of the Father, others will not be ready because they
have failed, and they shall be shut out, where there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
Two laws have been given on which hang all the other laws and the
prophets; these are
First, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus
Christ thou shalt serve him:
Second, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
It is quite evident that a man who will not obey the instruction given
him from the Lord and obey his commandments, does not keep either of these
great laws. Let every Latter-day Saint understand that it is required of him
that he be willing to do ALL that the Lord commands of him, and if he is not
willing to forsake all that he has, even to the giving of his own life if
necessary, then he is not worthy to receive ALL that the Father hath to give
to those who faithfully serve him.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matt.
24:42.
Many things have taken place during the past one hundred years to impress
faithful members of the Church with the fact that the coming of the Lord is
near. The Gospel has been restored. The Church has been fully organized. The
Priesthood has been conferred upon man. The various dispensations from the
beginning have been revealed and their keys and authorities given to the
Church. Israel has been, and is being gathered to the land of Zion. The Jews
are returning to Jerusalem. The Gospel is being preached in all the world as a
witness to every nation. Temples are being built and ordinance work for the
dead as well as for the living is performed in them. The hearts of the
children have turned to their fathers, and they are seeking after their dead.
The covenants which the Lord promised to make with Israel in the latter days
have been revealed and thousands of gathered Israel have entered into them.
Thus the work of the Lord is advancing, and all these things are signs of the
near approach of our Lord.
Jesus said the Jews would be scattered among all nations and Jerusalem
would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles were
fulfilled. (Luke 21:24.) This prediction was repeated to Joseph Smith in these
words:
And this I have told you concerning Jerusalem; and when that
day shall come, shall a remnant be scattered among all nations;
But they shall be gathered again; but they shall remain until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and
the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail
them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the
end of the earth.
And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.
And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, 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.
D.C. 45:24-29. This prophecy regarding the Jews was literally
fulfilled. Jerusalem was trodden down by the Gentiles, but is no
longer trodden down, but is made the home for the Jews. They are
returning to Palestine and by this we may know that the times of the
Gentiles are near their close.
This is also a sign of tribulation and commotion, for the Lord also said:
But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be
moved; but among the wicked men shall lift up their voices and curse
God and die.
And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many
desolations; yet men will harden their heard against me and they
will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one
another.
And now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my
disciples, they were troubled.
And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these
things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have
been made unto you shall be fulfilled. * * *
Even so it shall be in that day when they shall see all these
things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh.
And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be
looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the
sign of the coming of the Son of Man.
And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown
forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath. D.C.
45:32-35, 38-40.
The words of the prophets are rapidly being fulfilled, but it is done on
such natural principles that most of us fail to see it. Joel promised that the
Lord would pour out his spirit upon all flesh; the sons and daughters should
prophesy; old men should dream dreams and young men should see visions.
Wonders in heaven and in the earth should be seen, and there should be fire,
blood and pillars of smoke. Eventually the sun is to be turned into darkness
and the moon as blood, and then shall come the great and dreadful day of the
Lord. Some of these signs have been given; some are yet to come. The sun has
not yet been darkened. We are informed that this will be one of the last acts
just preceding the coming of the Lord.
One wonders if we are not now seeing some of the wonders in heaven? Not
all, for undoubtedly some of them will be among the heavenly bodies, such as
the moon and the sun, the meteors and comets, but in speaking of the heavens,
reference is made to that part which surrounds the earth and which belongs to
it. It is in the atmosphere where in any of the signs are to be given. Do we
not see airships of various kinds traveling through the heavens daily? Have we
not had signs in the earth and through the earth with the radio, railroad
trains, automobiles, submarines and in many other ways? There are yet to be
great signs; the heavens are to be shaken; the sign of the Son of Man is to be
given; and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn.
Among the signs of the last days was an increase of learning. Daniel was
commanded to "shut up the words, and seal the book," of his prophecy, "even to
the time of the end." And in that day, "many shall run to and fro," said he,
"and knowledge shall be increased." Are not the people "running to and fro"
today as they never did before in the history of the world? Go to the Bureau
of Information and ask there how many tourists visit the Temple Block each
year. Make inquiry at the various national parks, at the bus, railroad and
steamship companies: learn how many are running to Europe, Asia, and all parts
of the earth. Are we not, most all of us, running to and fro in our
automobiles seeking pleasure? Is not knowledge increased? Was there ever a
time in the history of the world when so much knowledge was poured out upon
the people? But sad to say, the words of Paul are true the people are "ever
learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth!" Have you ever tried to
associate the outpouring of knowledge, the great discoveries and inventions
during the past one hundred years, with the restoration of the Gospel? Do you
not think there is some connection? It is not because we are more intelligent
than our fathers that we have received this knowledge, but because God has
willed it so in our generation! Yet men take the honor unto themselves and
fail to recognize the hand of the Almighty in these things. America was
discovered because the Lord willed it. The Gospel was restored in America,
rather than in some other land, because the Lord willed it. This is the land
shadowing with wings spoken of by Isaiah, which today is sending ambassadors
by the sea to a nation scattered and peeled, which at one time was terrible in
their beginning. Now that nation is being gathered, and once again they shall
stand in favor with the Lord.
Have we not had numerous rumors of wars? Have we not had wars, such wars
as the world never saw before? Is there not today commotion among the nations,
and are not their rulers troubled? Have not kingdoms been overturned and great
changes been made among nations? The whole earth is in commotion. Earthquakes
in divers places are reported every day, and all the other signs given by the
Lord have been seen, or are at our doors. We know this to be the case, both
from observation and from the predictions of the prophets. Elijah, one hundred
years ago, told Joseph Smith that the great and dreadful day of the Lord was
near, "even at the doors."
Yet the old world goes on about its business paying very little heed to
all the Lord has said, and to all the signs and indications that have been
given. Men harden their hearts and say "that Christ delayeth his coming until
the end of the earth." (D.C. 45:26.) They are "eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage" according to the customs of the world, not of God,
without one thought that the end of wickedness is near. Pleasure and the love
of the world have captured the hearts of the people. There is no time for such
people to worship the Lord or give heed to his warnings; so it will continue
until the day of destruction is upon them. At no time in the history of the
world has it been more necessary for the children of men to repent. We boast
of our advanced civilization; of the great knowledge and wisdom with which we
are possessed, but in and through it all, the love of God is forgotten! The
Lord, as well as Elijah, gave us warning through Joseph Smith. The Lord said:
"For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I
shall come in a cloud with power and great glory. And it shall be a great day
at the time of my coming, for all nations shall tremble. But before that great
day shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood;
and the stars shall refuse their shining, and some shall fall, and great
destructions await the wicked." D.C. 34:7-9.
If the great and dreadful day of the Lord was near at hand when Elijah
came, we are just one century nearer it today. "But no! Elijah, you are wrong!
Surely one hundred years have passed, and are we not better of today than ever
before? Look at our discoveries, our inventions, our knowledge and our wisdom!
Surely you made a mistake!" So many seem to think, and say, and judging by
their actions they are sure that the world is bound to go on in its present
condition for millions of years before the end will come. Talk to them; hear
what they have to say these learned men of the world. "We have had worse
times," they say. "You are wrong in thinking there are more calamities now
than in earlier times. There are not more earthquakes, the earth has always
been quaking but now we have facilities for gathering the news which our
fathers did not have." "These are not signs of the times: things are not
different from former times." And so the people refuse to heed the warnings
the Lord so kindly gives to them, and thus they fulfil the scriptures. Peter
said such sayings would be uttered and he warned the people in these words:
I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by
the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the
Lord and Savior:
Knowing this first, there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts,
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of
God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water
and in the water.
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished:
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word
are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment
and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:1-7.
In this warning Peter calls attention to the destruction of the world in
the flood, and says that at the coming of Christ which scoffers would
postpone, or deny there shall come another cleansing of the earth; but the
second time by fire. Is not the condition among the people today similar to
that in the days of Noah? Did the people believe and repent then? Can you make
men, save with few exceptions, believe today that there is any danger? Do you
believe the Lord when he said one hundred years ago: "For I am no respecter of
persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the
hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the
earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion"? (D.C. 1:35.)
"And behold, and lo, I come quickly to judgment, to convince all of their
ungodly deeds which they have committed against me, as it is written of men in
the volume of the book." (D.C. 99:5.) "Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which
is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and
his word is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the
earth." (D.C. 1: 12-13.) "Verily, I say unto you, this generation, in which
these things shall be shown forth, shall not pass away until all I have told
you shall be fulfilled." P.G.P., Writings of J.S., 1:34.
Shall we slumber on in utter oblivion or indifference to all that the
Lord has given us as warning? I say unto you, "Watch, therefore; for ye know
not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the
house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and
would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore, be ye also
ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did
sit, whose garment was white as snow. Daniel 7:9.
Not far from the town of Gallatin, in Daviess County, Missouri, there is
a place known to the people as "Spring Hill." Here a settlement of the Saints
was started in 1838. This hill is on the north of the valley, through which
runs Grand River, described by the Prophet Joseph as a "large, beautiful, deep
and rapid stream, during the high waters of spring." In the spring and summer
the surrounding valley is most beautiful, with its scattered farms discernible
as far as the eye can reach. The citizens here go about their daily tasks all
unaware of the wondrous occurrences which have taken place in this beautiful
valley and on this hill. They are equally oblivious to the momentous events
soon to be staged there.
When the Prophet first visited the hill he called it "Tower Hill, a name
I gave the place in consequence of the remains of an old Nephite altar or
tower that stood there," he wrote in his journal. By the Lord, however, this
place was named "Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam
shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of
by Daniel the prophet." D.C. 116.
The world at large is in ignorance regarding this wonderful character,
the Ancient of Days. Much has been written of him, but mostly without
knowledge. He is, so the Lord informs us, no other than Adam, our ancient
father. As Michael, the arch-angel, he fought the battles against Lucifer in
the beginning, and he shall also sound the trumpet when all the dead shall
awake (D.C. 29:26), and he shall lead the fight in the final battle with
Lucifer. (D.C. 88:111-114.) As Adam he was known as the first man on the
earth, as by virtue of that honor, he becomes "the father of all, the prince
of all, the ancient of days," (D.C. 27:11.) He holds the keys of salvation for
this earth, under the direction of the Holy One, "who is without beginning of
days, or end of life," even Jesus Christ. D.C. 78: 16.
Three years before the death of Adam, he called together his children,
including all the faithful down to the generation of Methuselah, all who were
high priests, "with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the
valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing."
(D.C. 107:53.) At this grand gathering the Lord appeared and administered
comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: "I have set thee to be at the head; a
multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them
forever." The assembly arose and blessed Adam and called him Michael, the
prince, the arch-angel. Then Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation
and no such a gathering on any other occasion has this world ever seen "and
notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost (he)
predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the last generation."
And all this is written in the book of Enoch, which shall be revealed in due
time. D.C. 107:54-57.
Not many years hence there shall be another gathering of high priests and
righteous souls in this same valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. At this gathering
Adam, the Ancient of Days, will again be present. At this time the vision
which Daniel saw will be enacted. The Ancient of Days will sit. There will
stand before him those who have held the keys of all dispensations, who shall
render up their stewardships to the first Patriarch of the race, who holds the
keys of salvation. This shall be a day of judgment and preparation. Joseph,
the Prophet, in speaking of this event, said:
Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he
means the oldest man, our father Adam, Michael; he will call his
children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for
the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human
family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have
had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may
take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of
Man stands before him (Adam) and there is given him glory and
dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was
delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains
his standing as head of the human family. D.H.C. 3:386-7.
It was in the night vision that all this was shown to Daniel, and he saw
the Son of Man come to the grand council, as he did to the first grand council
in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there he received the keys from Adam
"and there was given to him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all
people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which
shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7: 13-14.) In this council Christ will take
over the reigns of government, officially, on this earth, and "the kingdom and
dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be
given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him," even Jesus
Christ.
Until this grand council is held, Satan shall hold rule in the nations of
the earth; but at that time thrones are to be cast down and man's rule shall
come to an end for it is decreed that the Lord shall make an end of all
nations. (D.C. 87:6.) Preparation for this work is now going on. Kingdoms are
already tottering, some have fallen; but eventually they shall all go the way
of the earth, and he shall come whose right it is to rule. Then shall he give
the government to the saints of the Most High.
This council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman is to be of the greatest
importance to this world. At that time there will be a transfer of authority
from the usurper and impostor, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ.
Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and
deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct this
judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for
this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume
the reins of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He,
whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the
Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed,
not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of
the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may
also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be
an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters '
concerning the destiny of this earth.
When this gathering is held, the world will not know of it; the members
of the Church at large will not know of it, yet it shall be preparatory to the
coming in the clouds of glory of our Savior Jesus Christ as the Prophet Joseph
Smith has said. The world cannot know of it. The Saints cannot know of it
except those who officially shall be called into this council for it shall
precede the coming of Jesus Christ as a thief in the night, unbeknown to all
the world.
I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25.
When Jesus, after his resurrection, met with his apostles on the shore of
the sea of Galilee, he indicated to Peter what death the latter should suffer.
Peter seemed very anxious to know what would become of John and asked the
question, "And what shall this man do?" Jesus answered, "If I will that he
tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" From this saying the disciples
understood that John was not to die until Christ should come. The answer to
Peter may have given rise to the tradition of the "Wandering Jew" who is
cursed to walk the earth until Christ's second coming. In the books which have
been written by Dr. George Croly, Eugene Sue and Lew Wallace, based on this
old tradition, this wanderer is depicted as seeking death which he cannot
find. He has become weary of mortality; all his friends and associates have
gone; he sees other generations come and go, but he is forced to remain as a
punishment.
Would it not be a punishment if we were forced to live in mortality for
thousands of years, not to say forever, subject to the pains, disappointments
and all the vicissitudes of mortal life? Such a thing would be no more
satisfactory than to die and have no resurrection. This life is a Probationary
state, in which we are receiving experiences and training as a part of our
education to fit us for eternal life. It has been appointed to us that through
these experiences we might prove ourselves and be "raised in immortality unto
eternal life," if we are obedient, and to receive just rewards for all our
deeds. The scriptures say:
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:
nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth
it, that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath
already been; and God requireth that which is past. Eccl.
3:14-15.
If I understand this saying correctly it is that the works of God are
eternal. He does not create to annihilate and destroy. To think that these
mortal tabernacles were given us simply for this small span between the
eternities, to be discarded again, may be a popular doctrine today, but it
verily is not true. Our bodies are given us for a definite and eternal purpose
the uniting of spirit and element (flesh and bones) inseparably, that man
may receive a fullness of joy. (D.C. 88:14-15, and 93:33-34.) In mortality,
where they are not inseparably connected, man cannot receive a fullness of
joy.
Therefore the resurrection is an essential part of existence, which shall
come to every creature, even to the earth itself, upon which we stand, for the
Lord has said:
And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth
all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek
of the earth shall inherit it.
Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all
unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
For after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall
be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;
That bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it
forever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created, and
for this intent are they sanctified.
And they who are not sanctified throng 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.
* * * * *
And again, verily, I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of
a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and
transgresseth not the law
Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it
shall die, it shall be quickened again; and shall abide the power by
which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.
88:17-26.
Not only is the earth to be quickened, but since all things that are
shall be, the life upon its face shall also be quickened. These are the words
of the Lord to Joseph Smith:
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you that when the
thousand years are ended, and men again begin to deny their God,
then will I spare the earth but for a little season;
And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be
consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new
earth.
For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become
new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fullness thereof,
both of men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the
sea;
And not one hair neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the
workmanship of mine hand. D.C. 29:22-25.
The doctrine of the resurrection has been understood from the beginning,
although in the Old Testament in the earlier writings there is little mention
of it. When the Gospel was taught to Adam, we are informed that he was filled
with the Holy Ghost and began to prophesy, saying: "Blessed be the name of
God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I
shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God." (Moses 5:10.) And Eve
heard all these things and said: "Were it not for our transgression we never '
should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy
of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the
obedient." (v. 11.) The Lord said to Enoch: "And righteousness will I send
down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear
testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea and also
the resurrection of all men." Moses 7:62.
Job understood this doctrine of the resurrection and bore witness of it.
Unfortunately, today Bible commentators and translators are trying to destroy
his words and make them read contrary to Job's meaning. Job said:
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at
the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and
not another, though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:
25-27.
The Lord taught the doctrine of the resurrection to Ezekiel in a most
positive manner. The story is told in the 37th chapter. In vision Ezekiel saw
a valley of dry bones, the bones of Israel. The Lord asked him if they could
live, and then answered the question. This is the answer:
Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones: Behold, I will cause
breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon?
you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall
live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Ezek. 37:5-6.
These words Ezekiel, in vision, prophesied over the bones, and he saw
them come together, the flesh come upon them, and a great army of men stood
upon their feet. Then the Lord said these were the whole house of Israel.
"Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut of
for our parts." Many have endeavored to interpret this vision as the
repentance of disobedient Israel, claiming that it does not refer to the
resurrection of the dead; but the Lord is most emphatic in his instruction to
Ezekiel. There can be little doubt of his meaning, so clearly stated. The Lord
said to Ezekiel:
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God;
Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come
up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your
graves O my people, and brought you up out of your graves.
And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live and I shall
place you in your own land.
Then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and
performed it, saith the Lord. Ezek. 37: 12-14.
Daniel also saw the resurrection and said: "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." Dan. 12:2.
This agrees with the instruction of our Lord:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is,
when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that
hear shall live.* * *
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming in which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice.
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation. John 5:25-29.
This promise was fulfilled when Christ went to the spirits in prison and
taught them.
After his resurrection, Matthew, an eye witness, informs us:
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the
top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which
slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went
into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matt. 27:51-53.
On this Western hemisphere similar scenes were enacted. After the
resurrection of Christ the bodies of the saints arose and came out of the
graves and appeared unto many. See 3 Nephi 23:7-13.
This was the first resurrection on this earth, but since it is past, we
now speak of the resurrection which will take place at the coming of Christ as
the first resurrection. It will be the first unto us. In the Book of Mormon
and the Doctrine and Covenants we have received very definite information in
relation to the resurrection. One of the clearest statements is given by
Amulek and by Alma in the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Book of Alma.
Since it is easy to turn and read their words they will not be quoted here.
Alma also taught this doctrine in plainness to his son Corianton (chapters
39-42).
To the Church in this day the Lord has still further explained this
doctrine.
When Christ comes the saints who are on the earth will be quickened and
caught up to meet him. This does not mean that those who are living in
mortality at that time will be changed and pass through the resurrection, for
mortals must remain on the earth until after the thousand years are ended. A
change, nevertheless, will come over all who remain on the earth; they will be
quickened so that they will not be subject unto death until they are old. Men
shall die when they are one hundred years of age, and the change shall be made
suddenly to the immortal state. Graves will not be made during this thousand
years, and Satan shall have no power to tempt any man. Children shall grow up
"as calves of the stall" unto righteousness, that is, without sin or the
temptations which are so prevalent today. Even the animal kingdom shall
experience a great change, for the enmity of beasts shall disappear, as we
have already stated, "and they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the
waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9.
Explaining this glorious day the Lord has given us the following:
And he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and hath kept the
faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him to die at
the age of man.
Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become old; old
men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust but they shall
be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
Wherefore, for this cause preached the apostles unto the world
the resurrection of the dead. D.C. 63:50-52.
And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man.
And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death.
In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his
life shall be as the age of a tree;
And when he dies he shall not sleep, that is to say in the
earth, but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and shall be
caught up, and his rest shall be glorious. D.C. 101:28-31.
Isaiah also says that the age of man, or the age of a tree, is one
hundred years, and adds his testimony as follows:
There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man
that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred
years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be
accursed. Isaiah 65:20.
In that day when Christ shall come, the righteous, "who have slept in
their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also
shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven," if they
have kept the commandments of the Lord, for
They are Christ's, the first fruit, they who shall descend with him
first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught
up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trumpet of
the angel of God. D.C. 88:98.
These who are thus blessed are those who have kept the covenants of the
Gospel. Their privilege is to meet Christ at his coming in the clouds of
heaven.
Then will be fulfilled the parable of the ten virgins, and many members
of the Church, who have not kept the law, shall be found unworthy in that day.
After the sounding of the trumpet by the first angel, a second trumpet shall
sound, "and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his
coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for
them, that they might receive the Gospel, and be judged according to men in
the flesh." These will be those who are not as worthy as those who are caught
up to meet him. Then there shall be a third trumpet and it shall call the
spirits of men who are to be judged and found under condemnation. These do not
receive the resurrection, nor do they live again until the thousand years are
ended. And thus shall be ushered in the reign of Christ on the earth for a
thousand years when wickedness shall be banished from the earth.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. Rev. 20:5.
When the Millennium is ushered in the earth is to pass through a
cleansing. This will not be the final cleansing when the earth shall be
consumed and pass away to be renewed again a celestial globe, but it will be
the end of unrighteousness. 'All who have lived the telestial law that is
those who are unclean, "they who are liars, and sorcerers, and whoremongers,
and whosoever loves and makes a lie" and who suffer the wrath of God on earth
and "suffer the vengeance of eternal fire" shall be swept off from the face
of the earth. All of these will be cast down to hell where they shall remain
until Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have
perfected his work. During the thousand years all of these will be in this
torment of mind, having ample time to reflect over their misdeeds and receive
training in obedience to law, so that they may be prepared to come forth in
the resurrection at the end of the world.
It will be impossible for the people of this class to remain on the earth
during the Millennium, for they would be as much out of their element as a
fish out of water. The changed condition of the earth, which will be of a
terrestrial order during this thousand years, will be suited to the capacity
of those of the terrestrial world as well as those who have kept the celestial
law, and they shall have part in the first resurrection. "And then shall the
heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the
first resurrection, "And it shall be tolerable for them." (D.C. 45:54.) But
with those of the telestial order, this will not be so. These are they who are
as stubble who shall be consumed when Christ comes, according to the words of
Malachi. (4:1.) It is of this class the Lord speaks when he says:
For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is
ripe and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as
stubble; and I will burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that
wickedness shall not be upon the earth;
For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine
apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to
pass;
For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great
glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with
men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.
D.C. 29:9-11.
It must be an awful punishment which shall be meted out to the
inhabitants who shall be cast into hell for a thousand years. They will know
that Christ has come and that on the earth he reigns in peace and
righteousness. They will realize that those who have lived and died, who were
worthy, have received the resurrection, and all the people of the earth are
happy and filled with joy because they are guided by their King. They will
know that they have lost all of this because of their wickedness, and during
the thousand years they will be in torment with their sins, looking forth to
the final judgment with fear and trembling. Yet their punishment will be for
their good. The Lord will not punish them merely because he is angry, and
delights in their suffering. Their suffering must be met, for they have denied
the mercies of Jesus Christ and therefore must suffer even as he suffered for
the sins of the world (D.C. 19:16-19), for his suffering will not cleanse
them. It will be a punishment of cleansing; and when they have paid the price
and it will be a most dreadful, painful ordeal their shall they be
prepared to receive such blessings as the Lord, in his great mercy, is
prepared to give to them.
Even these are to be "servants of the Most High." That is, they must
learn to serve him and be obedient to his laws, such as they are worthy to
receive. These who shall be punished in this manner shall be countless for
multitude. The Prophet Joseph says of them:
And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is
that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that
of the glory of the moon in the firmament.
These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither
the testimony of Jesus.
These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit.
These are they who are thrust down to hell.
These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until
the last resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall
have finished his work.
* * * * *
These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers,
and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.
These are they who suffer the wrath of God on earth.
These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire.
These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath
of Almighty God, until the fullness of times, when Christ shall have
subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his
work.
* * * * *
But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the
telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the
firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;
And heard the voice of the Lord, saying: These all shall bow
the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the
throne forever and ever;
For they shall be judged according to their works, and every
man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in
the mansions which are prepared;
And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and
Christ dwell, they cannot come, worlds without end. D.C.
76:81-85, 103-106, 109-112.
John saw these dead as they came to the partial judgment at the coming of
Christ. He saw the righteous made happy as they lived and reigned with Christ
a thousand years, "but the rest of the dead," after receiving a partial
judgment, "lived not again until the thousand years were finished. * * *
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev. 20:5-6.) Then he saw the
final judgment, after "Satan shall be loosed out of prison, and shall go out
to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth." At this
judgment the dead, small and great," shall stand before God, and the books
shall be opened out of which all the dead shall be judged.
At this time all who are in their graves, not found worthy to dwell with
Christ, shall come forth. Their spirits and bodies shall be reunited
inseparably, but they shall not receive a fullness of joy, because their deeds
have been such as to deprive them of eternal progression. That is, thy shall
be denied some blessings and cannot receive the fullness, and shall be
restricted in their several glories in the telestial world forever.
Amulek spoke very plainly when he said:
Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond
and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even
there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall
be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be
brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father,
and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to he judged according to their
works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.
Now, behold I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal
body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you
that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even
from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits
uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming
spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption. Alma 11:
44-45.
Alma continued, in his discourse following the words of Amulek, and said,
"For our words will condemn us," if we harden our hearts against the word,
"insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for
then we shall be condemned." He adds:
We must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power,
and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting
shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and
that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to
save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for
repentance. Alma 12:15.
Then speaking of the second death, Alma informs Zeezrom that it is a
"spiritual death," when there comes "a time that whosoever dieth in his sins,
as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as
to things pertaining unto righteousness. Then is the time when their torments
shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and
ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting
destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan. * * * Then, I say
unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they
cannot be redeemed according to God's justice: and they cannot die (i.e.
undergo another separation of spirit and body), seeing there is no more
corruption." Alma 12:17-18.
Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be
remembered. Isaiah 65:17.
The reference to the creation of new heavens and a new earth by Isaiah in
the passage quoted is not a reference to the final change through which the
earth shall pass; but the change which shall come at the beginning of the
Millennium. This seems to be clearly the meaning from the reading which
follows:
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create;
for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; and the
voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of
crying.
There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man
that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred
years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be
accursed.
And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall
plant vineyard, and eat the fruit of them.
They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not
plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my
people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isaiah 65:18-22.
When that day comes there will be a changed condition in the earth as
well as among its inhabitants, for the earth and all who remain on its face
shall have a partial change to fit them to the new conditions where death and
disease shall not have sway. In one of the Articles of Faith we say: "We
believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten
Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that
Christ will reign personally upon the earth,; and, that the earth will be
renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory." I take it for granted that this
paradisiacal glory has reference to the change when Christ comes to reign. It
will be more than a paradisiacal glory when the earth is celestialized.
The renewing of the earth is explained in a revelation given to the
Prophet Joseph Smith, November 3, 1831, in the following words:
When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a
hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written on
their foreheads.
Wherefore prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye,
go ye out to meet him.
For behold, he shall stand upon the Mount of Olivet, and upon
the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the
sea, and upon the land of Zion.
And he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak
from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people;
And it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and
the valleys shall not be found.
He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back
into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land;
And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned
back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in
the days before it was divided.
And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his
people, and shall reign over all flesh. D.C. 133: 18-25.
When all this comes to pass, surely the earth will be in commotion as it
readjusts itself to assume its paradisiacal glory. All this must come to pass,
because it is a part of the great restoration, and all things are to be
restored, both in heaven and in earth in this dispensation. Among these
changes the City of Enoch with its inhabitants is to return and join in the
grand celebration at the coming of Christ to reign, and all the prophets of
old and the righteous saints shall be gathered in the grand assembly of
rejoicing.
A change shall come over every living creature, and all enmity shall
depart and only love and peace remain. Isaiah has told of this wonderful time
in his beautiful, poetic language:
But with righteousness shall he (Christ) 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.
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and
faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall;
lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the
fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie
down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and
the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for
the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters
cover the sea. Isaiah 11:4-9.
Ezekiel also speaks of this glorious day, and says that the Lord will
make with the people "a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to
cease out of the land:" so that the people may "dwell safely in the
wilderness, and sleep in the woods." Moreover they shall be blessed with rains
in their proper season, and "the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and
the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and
shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke."
Ezekiel 34:25-27.
In the Doctrine and Covenants we have been given further instruction in
relation to this glorious and happy time of peace. What joy will fill the
hearts of those who are worthy to receive it. They shall not be subject to the
ills that now trouble us. We will have no need for hospitals; men shall live
in health and vigor until they are old and there shall be no graves, for death
shall come as a peaceful transition from the mortal to the immortal state.
"And he that liveth when the Lord shall come," said the Lord to Joseph Smith,
"and hath kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless, it is appointed to him
to die at the age of man. Wherefore, children shall grow up until they become
old; old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall
be changed in the twinkling of an eye." D.C. 63:50-51.
During the thousand years of peace and righteousness, there will be two
capitals on the earth, one in the land of Zion the New Jerusalem and one
in Palestine the old Jerusalem. Zachariah says that all nations of the
earth shall be required to come up to Jerusalem, or, if they refuse, the Lord
will punish them by withholding rain, and in the case of Egypt he will smite
the heathen with plagues. Zech. 14: 16-19.
From the words of the prophets it is quite evident that there will be on
the earth some who will not belong to the Church, but they will have to pay
homage to the government of God. If, in that day, a man shall die unrepentant
he shall be accursed. (Isa. 65:20.) We cannot help thinking, however, that
under such conditions of righteousness and influence of the teachings of
heavenly beings, the time will not be very long before all people will forsake
the ways of the world, and even the heathens will come unto the brightness of
the Gospel light.
During all these years men dwelling in mortality will have the privilege
of associating with those who have received their resurrection. Our Lord and
Savior will be a familiar figure among the righteous saints. Instruction will
be given by resurrected prophets. How could wickedness remain under such
conditions? Those who have passed through the resurrection will not, however,
dwell with those in mortality. They will not stay in earthly, or human homes
nor sleep in the beds of mortals. Such a thing would be inconsistent. Joseph
Smith has said:
Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the
thousand years. They will not probably dwell on the earth, but will visit it
when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked
men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not
come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God, and must
eventually be destroyed from the earth. Compendium, pp. 274-5.
The question naturally will arise, if the wicked are to be destroyed when
Christ comes, then how can there be wicked men on the earth during the
Millennium, as stated by Joseph Smith and Isaiah? It is quite evident that the
"wickedness" during that time will be among those who are heathen, or have not
come into the Church, and their wickedness consists of failure to receive the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is according to the Lord's interpretation, as follows:
And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin,
because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under
the bondage of sin. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not
acquainted with my voice, and is not of me. And by this you may know
the righteous from the wicked. D.C. 84:50-53.
Men will be free from the temptations of. Satan; peace will be in the
hearts of all men, and it is decreed that in time all will receive the truth,
for the Gospel is to cover the earth as the waters do the sea.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou &e with
me in paradise. Luke 23:43.
Paradise is not heaven, or the place where God dwells, but a place of
departed spirits. Why the belief should be so general that the thief went to
heaven with the Savior is rather strange, since Jesus did not go there until
after his resurrection. This fact he disclosed to Mary at the tomb. From the
time his spirit left his body until he arose from the tomb, Jesus was with the
thief in paradise, according to his promise. There the Savior opened the door
for the salvation of the dead. Before that time the unworthy dead were shut up
in prison and were not visited. (Moses 7:38-39; Isaiah 24:22.) We have good
reason to believe that the righteous spirits in paradise did not mingle with
the unrighteous spirits before the visit of our Lord to the spirit world. He
declared that there was a gulf fixed that could not be crossed which separated
the righteous from the unrighteous, therefore there was no sound of the voice
of prophets and the Gospel was not declared among the wicked until Christ went
into that world before his resurrection. He it was who opened the prison
doors. Isaiah 42:6-7; 61:1.
President Brigham Young declared that "Jesus was the first man that ever
went to preach to the spirits in prison, holding the keys of the Gospel of
salvation to them. Those keys were delivered to him in the day and hour that
he went into the spirit world, and with them he opened the door of salvation
to the spirits in prison." (J.D. 4:285.) This is in full accord with the
scriptures. President Joseph F. Smith, in the vision he beheld of the spirit
world, confirmed this view. (Gos. Doc., pp. 596-601.) In that world Christ
taught the righteous spirits and commissioned them to carry his message and
sent them forth among the unbaptized dead. In this way he fulfilled his
promise made to Isaiah that he would preach to the spirits of the dead and
open their prison doors that they might go free.
Alma has given us some light in relation to conditions in the world of
spirits before the time of the resurrection of Christ. In his instructions to
Corianton he said:.
Now, concerning the state of the soul (spirit) between death and the
resurrection Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the
spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea,
the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that
God who gave them life.
And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are
righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a
state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles
and from all care, and sorrow.
And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who
are evil for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the
Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit
of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house and
these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and
wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being
led captive by the will of the devil.
Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a
state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God
upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in
paradise, until the time of their resurrection. Alma 40: 11-14.
In reading this description we should keep in mind that Alma was speaking
of conditions before the visit of Christ to the spirits in prison. The Lord
told Enoch that the disobedient should be shut up in the prison house which he
had prepared for them, and there they should remain in torment until the day
that Jesus should return unto the Father. Yet Christ had pleaded even for
these, and had gained the promise that they should not be left in torment, if
they would repent in that day when he should visit them. (Moses 7:32-40.)
Since the day when the Gospel was declared and the prison doors opened, this
Gospel of the kingdom has been preached in power among the dead.
We realize that there is no time to be idle among the members of the
Church on the earth, if we are to accomplish the great work for the dead which
the Lord has assigned to us. If we could see beyond the veil we would discover
that there is great activity there. The dead have to have the Gospel preached
to them, and in that world the righteous and repentant, those who died without
a knowledge of the Gospel, who would have received it if that opportunity had
come to them (D.H.C. vol 2, p. 380), have to be prepared to receive the
ordinances of the Gospel as they are administered by proxy in the temples on
this earth. All of the spirits of the dead have to be taught and brought to
repentance, so we see the work over there is of magnificent proportions.
President Joseph F. Smith, in his vision of the dead, saw the spirits and
thus he wrote of them:
I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when
they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching
of the Gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of
the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and
under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the
dead. Gos. Doc., p. 601.
President Brigham Young impressed upon the minds of the people, when they
were building the first temples in Utah, that the work of redeeming the dead
was of great proportions. He said:
Compare those inhabitants on the earth who have heard the
Gospel in our days, with the millions who have never heard it, or
had the keys of salvation presented to them, and you will conclude
at once as I do, that there is a mighty work to perform in the
spirit world. * * *
When men overcome as our faithful brethren have, and go where
they see Joseph, who will dictate to them and be their head and
prophet all the time, they have power over all disembodied evil
spirits, for they have overcome them. Those evil spirits are under
the command and control of every man that has had the Priesthood on
him, and has honored it in the flesh just as much as my hand is
under my control. * * *
Suppose then, that a man is evil in his heart wholly given
up to wickedness, and in that condition dies, his spirit will enter
the spirit world intent upon evil. On the other hand, if we are
striving with all the powers and faculties God has given us to
improve our talents, to prepare ourselves to dwell in eternal life,
and the grave receives our bodies while we are thus engaged, with
what disposition will our spirits enter their next state? They will
be still striving to do the things of God, only in a much greater
degree learning, increasing, growing in grace and in the
knowledge of the truth. Discourses, pp. 578-581.
We justly conclude that the elders of Israel who depart this life have
work in abundance to do in the world of spirits. They cannot officiate for the
dead in the ordinances of the Gospel, but they do have the power to preach the
Gospel, rebuke, disperse and control the evil spirits of men.
The ordinances of the Gospel have to be performed for the dead here,
vicariously, in the temples. President Young asked this question: "Can they
(i.e. the elders in the spirit world) baptize them? No. What can they do? They
can preach the Gospel, and when we have the privilege of building up Zion, the
time will come for saviors to come up on Mount Zion." This was said before we
had temples where this work could be performed. Saviors have come upon Mount
Zion and have been performing this vicarious work for many years and will
continue to do so both now and hereafter. When the Millennium comes the work
will advance much faster. Of this time President Young also said: "Some of
those who are not in mortality will come along and say, "Here are a thousand
names I wish you to attend to in this temple, and when you have got through
with them I will give you another thousand;" and the elders of Israel and
their wives will go forth to officiate for their forefathers, the men for the
men, and the women for the women." Disclosures, pp. 581-582.
Neither will the work in the spirit world be carried on exclusively by
the men holding the Priesthood. The sisters who have made covenant with the
Lord and who have received blessings and power in the temples will also have
much to do in that work. This was made very clear by President Smith at the
funeral of Sister Mary A. Freeze, when he said:
Now, among all these millions of spirits that have lived on the
earth and have passed away, from generation to generation, since the
beginning of the world, without the knowledge of the Gospel among
them you may count that at least one-half are women. Who is going to
preach the Gospel to the women? Who is going to carry the testimony
of jesus Christ to the hearts of the women who have passed away
without a knowledge of the Gospel? Well, to my mind, it is a simple
thing. These good sisters who have been set apart, ordained to the
work, called to it, authorized by the authority of the Holy
Priesthood to minister for their sex, in the House of God for the
living and for the dead, will be fully authorized and empowered to
preach the Gospel and minister to the women while the elders and
prophets are preaching it to the men. The things we experience here
are typical of the things of God, and the life beyond us. Gos.
Doc. pp. 581-2.
The righteous dead look upon the long separation of their spirits from
their bodies as a bondage (D.C. 45:17. Rev. 6:9-11), and are anxiously waiting
for the resurrection. The wicked are looking forth to the day of judgment in
fear and trembling. Yet the Lord in his mercy has prepared a place for all,
according to their works. He will bless all men with all they are capable of
and worthy to receive. The preaching of the Gospel is now going on with power
among the spirits, while here on the earth the faithful saints are laboring
industriously in the temples of the Lord to give to their kindred who are dead
the blessings they require for their salvation.
Who will possess the earth and all its fullness? Will it not be those
whom the Lord has reserved to this honor? And they will come up on Mount Zion
as Saviors to labor through the Millennium to save others Brigham Young.
Our Savior said that a man cannot enter the Kingdom unless he is born of
the water and of the Spirit. In order that all may have this privilege, if
they will accept it, provision has been made to carry the Gospel to the dead
where it is taught to them. It has also been decreed that ordinance work,
which pertains to this mortal life, shall be performed for them in the temples
of the Lord by those now living. It has been decreed that man must do for
himself what he is able to do; but what he cannot do for himself others may do
for him. That is why Jesus Christ became our Redeemer. In a less capacity we
may be saviors to others by doing for them in the temples what they cannot do
for themselves and what we can do for them.
It is very clear that there is neither time nor information at hand to
enable the saints who are comparatively few in number to finish the
ordinance work for the dead before the coming of Jesus Christ. It is expected,
however, that we do all that we possibly can for them. As the information is
placed in our hands. However, we can easily understand that the greater part
of this work of salvation for the dead must be performed after the Millennium
is ushered in.
There are many strange notions abroad in relation to the kingdom of God
and the reign of a thousand years on the earth. Some people think that the
Millennium is to be a wonderful period of rest. A time to sing, play harps,
sit around and be happy in the presence of the Lord, but without any thing in
particular for the saved to do. Such thoughts prompted President Brigham young
to say:
The Christian world have taught, preached, contemplated,
meditated, sung about and prayed for the Millennium. What are you
going to do during that period, Christians? Do you know what the
Millennium is for, and what work will have to be done during that
period? Suppose the Christian world were now one in heart, Faith,
sentiment and works, so that the Lord could commence the Millennium
in power and glory, do you now what would be done? Wold you sit and
sing yourselves away to everlasting bliss? No, I reckon not. I think
there is a work to be done then which the whole world seems
determined we shall not do. What is it? To build temples. * * * and
work for the salvation of our forefathers. Discourses, p. 616.
Instead of being a time of rest, the Millennium is to be time for all to
labor. Idleness will not be found, better methods will be employed, not so
much time will be consumed in the daily pursuits and more time will be given
to the things of the Kingdom. The saints will be kept busy in the temples
which shall be built in all parts of the land. In fact, so busy will they be
that the temples will be occupied most of the time. President Young said of
this:
A great many of the Elders of Israel in Mount Zion will become
pillars in the temple of God, to go no more out. They will eat and
drink and sleep there; and they will often have occasion to say,
"Somebody came to the Temple last night; we did not know what he
was, but he was no doubt a brother, and told us great many things we
did not before understand. He gave us the names of a great many of
our forefathers that are not on record, and he gave me my true
lineage and names of my forefathers for hundreds of years back. He
said to me, You and I are connected in one family; there are the
names of your ancestors; take them and write them down, and be
baptized and confirmed, and save such ones, and receive of the
blessings of the eternal Priesthood for such and such an individual,
as you do for yourselves." this is what we are going to do for the
inhabitants of the earth. What I look at it, I do not want to rest a
great deal, but be industrious all the day long, for when we come to
think upon it, we have no time to lose for it is a pretty laborious
work. Discourses, p. 628.
On another occasion President Young said:
We have at least one thousand years, counting three hundred and
sixty-five days, five hours, forty-eight minutes, and fifty-seven
seconds to the year, if I recollect right, wherein the elders of
Israel will enter holy temples of the Lord and officiate for just
such persons as you and I, that, have done the work we were called
to do in our day, whether it was much or little. There will be
hundred for you and me. Joseph, Hyrum, father Smith, and many others
will be there to dictate and preside. Joseph will stand at the head
of this dispensation and hold the keys of it, for they are not taken
from him: they never were in time; they never will be in eternity.
J.D. 6:308.
It is well understood that the ordinances of the Gospel, such as baptism
and the laying on of hands, pertain to this life, therefore those who have
died without the Gospel, cannot act in their own behalf. Some one in mortal
life must act for the. Neither can those who have received the resurrection
officiate an stand for themselves, for they, too, belong to another life.
Therefore mortals have to be saviors on Mount Zion, acting for themselves,
when they repent and receive the Gospel, them those who are now living would
not be required to officiate and labor as proxies for them.
That the elders who have passed through the resurrection will work hand
in hand with the elders in mortal life, is a very consistent doctrine. Those
who are exalted will come to their mortal relatives and furnish the needed
names, and those who are mortal will go into the temples and do the work, and
by this method all will have work done for them who are entitled to receive
it. None will be overlooked or forgotten. In this way the Lord will provide
for all of his children and give every soul the chance to hear and receive the
Gospel.
Other comments by President young on this glorious theme are here given:
We shall go forth in the name of Israel's God and attend to the
ordinances for them (the dead). And through the Millennium, the
thousand years that the people will love and serve God, we will
build temples and officiate therein for those who have slept for
hundreds and thousands of years those who would have received the
truth if they had had the opportunity; and we will bring them up,
and form the chain entire, back to Adam.
If we preserve ourselves in the truth and live so that we shall
be worthy of the celestial kingdom, by and by we can officiate for
those who have died without the Gospel the honest, honorable,
truthful, virtuous and pure. By and by it will be said unto us, Go
ye forth and be baptized for them and receive the ordinances for
them, and the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers
who have slept in their graves, and they will secure to them eternal
life. This must be, lest the Lord come and smith the earth with a
curse. Discourses, p. 619.
Millions of our fellow creatures who have lived upon the earth
and died without a knowledge of the Gospel must be officiation for
in order that they may inherit eternal life. (That is, all that
would have received the Gospel.) And we are called upon to enter
into this work.
We are called, as it has been told you, to redeem the nations
of the earth. The fathers cannot be made perfect without us; we
cannot be made perfect without the fathers. There must be this chain
in the Holy Priesthood; it must be welded together from the latest
generation that lives on the earth back to Father Adam. Ibid.
p.623.
This fact, that those who have passed through the resurrection and who
will mingle with morals on the earth during the Millennium, furnishing the
necessary information that the work may be completed, should not deter the
Saints from doing all they can before that time. The Lord has commanded us to
go to with our might and do this work for our dead without any waiting. In
fact he said the Church would be rejected if this work were not done. Why
would it be rejected? Simply because we members of the Church cannot be
made perfect without our dead who are also entitled to the blessings. Place
yourself in the position of one who is dead and anxiously waiting for the
ordinances to be performed; would you want your son, or your daughter, or
grandson or granddaughter to wait and put off the work that would bring you
freedom from the prison? Then do what you can now that your fathers may be
blessed with the privilege of the fullness of the Gospel.
For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:39.
President Joseph F. Smith has said: "We are called mortal beings because
in us are seeds of death, but in reality we are immortal beings because there
is also within us the germ of eternal life." We have learned that it is the
purpose of the Lord to restore, in the resurrection, all life, both of "men
and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea." This is a most
comforting truth that makes known the greatness of the love of our Father, and
his endless mercy, for notwithstanding his children so generally rebel against
him, yet, as Isaiah said, "the Lord's hand is not shortened that he cannot
save." He has provided a salvation for all of his children, except those who
wilfully rebel against him after having partaken of the light, and all shall
come forth in the resurrection to die no more the physical death. The mercy of
the Lord extends as far a the fall, and the resurrection brings to all the
reuniting of spirit and body never again to be divided or see corruption. Thus
all men are blessed with immortal existence. The last enemy to be destroyed,
said Paul, is death. After death is destroyed Christ shall deliver up the
kingdom to the Father, for he will have finished his work (I Cor. 15:24-28).
However not all shall obtain the blessing of eternal life who partake of the
blessing of immortality. The scriptures point out very clearly a difference.
Immortality is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ, to all men; by which
they come forth in the resurrection to die no more, whether they have obeyed
him or rebelled against him. This great gift is theirs; even the wicked
receive it through the grace of Jesus Christ, and shall have the privilege of
living forever, but they will have to pay the price of their sins in torment
with the devil before they are redeemed.
Eternal life is a special blessing granted to a certain class because of
their obedience to the commands of God. It is the greatest of all the gifts of
God. (D.C. 14:7.) Those who receive it, "are rich," for they obtain the riches
of eternity, but it is only by traveling through the strait gate and path.
This distinction between eternal life, as received by the faithful, and
immortality, obtained by both the faithful and unfaithful, is shown in the
words of the Lord to Moses: "For behold, this is my work and my glory to
bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The conjunction
clearly separates the two thoughts. It explains that the Lord is giving to the
bast majority of men, those who will not be obedient, the blessing of
immortality; and to those who will serve him, the blessing of eternal life.
This thought is even more clearly expressed in the word of the Lord to Joseph
smith: "And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his
probation that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto
eternal life, even as many as would believe. And they that believe not unto
eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from this spiritual fall,
because they repent not." D.C. 29:43-44.
When the ruler asked Jesus, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life?" Jesus answered that he was to keep the commandments, naming
them. Again in his instructions regarding the judgment (Matt. 25:31) he said,
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into
life eternal." Everlasting punishment does not mean that they cannot be
forgiven when they repent; but is it not an everlasting punishment to be
eternally deprived of blessings which might have been obtained through a
changed course of mortal life wherein the commandments and covenants given to
man by the Father had been kept? The Savior also makes it a requirement that
we partake of the sacrament worthily, if we would obtain eternal life. The
Jews did not comprehend his meaning, but to us today it is clear. We read in
the sixth chapter of John:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath
everlasting life.
I am the bread of life.
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may
eat thereof, and not die.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man
eat of this bread, he shall life forever; and the bread that I will
give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore, strove among themselves, saying, How can
this man give us his flesh to eat?
Then Jesus said unto them. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye
have no life in you.
Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh by blood, hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me,
and I in him. Verses 47-56.
Eternal Life To Dwell With and Be Like, God
This last expression: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me, and I in him," gives us the key to the meaning of eternal
life. It is to be dwellers with God, that is, to have a place in his presence,
to be like him, possessing the same kind of life which he possesses, and with
him be one.
"Strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation
and continuation of the lives," we read in the Doctrine and Covenants, "and
few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do
ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and
shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also. This is
eternal lives to know the only wise an true God, and Jesus christ, who he
hath sent. I am he." So we see that eternal life is the same kind of life
possessed by the Father and the Son with the power of eternal increase.
Lehi teaches us
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things
are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to
choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all
men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity
and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be
miserable like unto himself. 2 Nephi 2:27.
But the designs of the devil, in large measure, shall be frustrated, for
the Lord has willed that all men shall be redeemed from death and hell,
eventually, except those over whom the second death has full power. Yet, unto
those who are entitled to receive only immortality there will naturally come
regrets that they did not take the course which would bring them greater
blessings. President John Taylor, at a conference of the Salt Lake Stake,
January 6, 1879, had this to say:
As eternal beings we all have to stand before him to be judged;
and he has provided different degrees of glory the celestial, the
terrestrial, and the telestial glories which are provide
according to certain unchangeable laws which cannot be controverted.
What will he do with them? For those who are ready to listen to him
and be brought under the influence of the Spirit of God, and be lead
by the principles of revelation and the light of heaven, and who are
willing to yield obedience to his commands at all times and carry
out his purposed upon the earth and who are willing to abide a
celestial law, he has prepared for them a celestial glory, that they
may be with him for ever and ever.
And what about the others? They are not prepared to go there
any more that lead is prepared to stand the same test as gold or
silver; and there they cannot go. And there is a great gulf between
them. But he (God) will do with them just as well as he can. A great
many of these people in the world, thousand and hundreds of millions
of them, will be a great deal better off through the interposition
of the Almighty than they have any idea of. But they cannot enter
into the celestial kingdom of God; where God and Christ are they
cannot come.
This same doctrine is proclaimed in the Doctrine and Covenants, section
seventy-six and other scriptures. This great difference is the distinguishing
feature between those who receive eternal life and those who only obtain
immortality.
Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free
to act for yourselves to choose the way of everlasting death or
the way of eternal life. 2 Nephi 10:23.
And when they have received this, which is expedient that they should
have first, to try their faith, and if it shall be so that they shall believe
these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 3
Nephi 26:9.
The canon scripture is not only not complete, but the Lord has greater
things to reveal to the people than have yet been given; however the people
cannot receive them in the day of unbelief and wickedness. It appears that
more has been revealed now than the people are willing to receive. Think of
the important revelations in that Bible concerning our own times! Think how
they are received by the world today! The world is full of scoffers who deny
the power of God, who belittle the prophets, and refuse to accept their
warnings. How is it among the Latter-day Saints? We have been given other
scripture in addition to the Bible. We have the Book of Mormon, with its
message concerning Christ; we have the Pearl of Great Price, with its words
given to Moses and to Abraham; we have the Doctrine and Covenants, with its
rich blessings revealing the covenants for our salvation. Think how important
these records are to us and to the world! Thousands of years ago the Lord had
the Jaredites prepare their records, and the Nephites later prepare theirs,
that they might come forth as witnesses for him in these last times. If you
have read the Book of Mormon you know that the Lord preserved the records of
these people to come forth from the dust to convince an unbelieving world that
the Lord has spoken. He guarded this history with its abundant revelations
through hostile generations, until it was hid up in the earth to come forth in
our day by the power of God. How carefully this record was guarded after it
was given into the hands of Joseph Smith!
Think of the attention the lord paid to it in the calling of special
witnesses to testify of it to the world! The Lord sent an angel from his
presence to reveal this record to these chosen witnesses. He spoke to them
from the heavens by his own voice, commanding them to testify that the
translation is true, and to bear witness of it to all the world.
In the case of the Doctrine and Covenants, have you stopped to consider
that the Lord commanded his servants to publish this volume to the world? Have
you thought how he endorsed its contents, coming form his own mouth, and
prepared the preface to the book, declaring that these revelations "are true
and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be
fulfilled?" Do you know of any other records which have had such wonderful
endorsement, and have gone forth to the world with such an array of witnesses
back of them?
Why is the Lord so particular and solicitous in this matter? why should
he go to such trouble to present to the world in this day these revelations,
both ancient and modern? The answer is a simple one. It is that the people
might know his will and be prepared to walk in his paths, which these records
point out to all the world. He has said that they contain the fullness of the
Gospel; that is, knowledge of the saving principles by which men may come back
into the presence of the Lord. Have we appreciated them, studied them, and do
we know how much our salvation depends upon the knowledge which they impart?
If not, then we are under condemnation! When the books are opened, how will we
answer for our neglect in this important matter?
Mormon writes that what he recorded is not one hundredth part of the
teachings of Jesus to the Nephites. There are other plates which contain the
greater part of the things Jesus taught the people, but Mormon did not write
them in his abridgement. The reason he given for not doing so is that the Lord
would not permit it.
And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the
things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the
intent that they may be brought again unto this people. * * *
And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that
they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be
that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things
be made manifest unto them.
And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then
shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their
condemnation.
Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon
the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade, it saying: I will try the
faith of my people. 3 Nephi 26:8-11.
Other records also have been withheld from the people of this generation
because they are not prepared to receive them. The time will come, we are
informed, when the records of the Ten Tribes will be revealed. We do not know
anything about these records yet.
We are also informed that the Lord gave to the brother of Jared a
revelation of things from the beginning to the end of time. These matters he
wrote in language which no man could read, and the Lord gave him the
interpreters which he also sealed, and by which the record shall be in due
time made known. But this revelation of all the ages cannot come forth until
the hearts of men are prepared to receive it in perfect faith. The Lord said
to Moroni that he should write these things upon the plates, but seal them up,
and Moroni tells us he did so, in these words:
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; and he
also hath commanded me that I should seal up the interpreters,
according to the commandment of the Lord.
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.
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.
And he that will contend against the world 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. Ether 4:4-8.
Nephi also saw in vision this book into which Moroni wrote this
revelation given to the brother of jared, and that the book came forth unto
the Gentiles from "them which have slumbered." He wrote of this record, in
part, as follows:
And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a
revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending
thereof.
Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the
things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the
wickedness and abomination of the people. Wherefore the book shall
be kept from them.
But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall
deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have
slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto
another. * * *
For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the
revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own
due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they
reveal all things from the foundation oft he world unto the end
thereof. 2 Nephi 27:7-10.
These revelations are hidden in the sealed part of the record given to
Joseph Smith, who was commanded by the Lord not to break the seals, for they
were not for this generation of wickedness. Moroni said to Joseph Smith: "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." Ether 5:1.
Before finishing his record, Moroni said there should be three witnesses
who should view the plates, and the Lord would manifest by his power to them
that the work is true. We today have the testimony of these witnesses, and we
have the book containing the lesser things which the Lord was willing to
reveal. Our faith is on trial. The indications point to the fact that our
faith is weak, and therefore we are not prepared to receive these greater
revelations which will come forth when men are sufficiently humbled,
prayerful, obedient, and filled with faith, such as the brother of Jared had.
Then they will be revealed in the day when the people are willing to accept
all the words of the Lord without doubts and mental reservations.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were
opened; and other book was opened; which is the book of life; and the dead
were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to
their works. Rev. 20:12.
Perhaps we have all wondered how a record of our lives is kept, and how
it is possible for our idle words to be recorded. The Lord said: "But I say
unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgement." We might be justified in saying that this
surely does not mean that we will be under condemnation for every wholesome
joke, or cheerful remark made in the spirit of fun; but only words unfitly
spoken and said to hurt and with blasphemous intent are meant. Soul-destroying
words, even though they be spoken in all seriousness, and expressions
conveying falsehood which travel in the guise of truth, and which turn men
from the path of eternal life, must be accounted for. There is much that is
written and spoken which is contrary to the truth the Lord has revealed; may
we not say that all such words are idle, useless expressions? Whatever the
interpretation of this passage may be, it gives us the understanding that
words and acts are definitely recorded.
No one should be foolish enough today to question the power of the words
and acts of men yes, even our thoughts may be indelibly recorded. Man has
developed the art of photography to such an extent that accurate pictures may
be recorded. Man has developed the art of photography to such an extent that
accurate pictures may be recorded in the twinkling of an eye. We are taught
that light and sound, and a thousand other things, many of which are known,
others unknown, travel through the universe in the form of waves, or waves
become the medium of transportation. We have all been to the "movies" and have
seen, as real as life, the motions and heard the words of the actors. We have
all listened to the radio and have heard the voices of men and women in
distant parts of the earth, as naturally as if they were sitting in the room.
If we are acquainted with the voice of the speaker or singer, we recognize it;
yet it comes to us in the form of waves which have to be transformed to sound
that we may hear it. The phonograph is a wonderful invention, which preserves
for us, indefinitely, our favorite song or musical selection. This is the
power which has been given to man; how much greater and better are the ways of
God. In accord with eternal law all these things which pertain to life are
preserved. We will have to stand, at the day of judgment, and face our life's
record with all its story of our imperfections, as it is perfectly revealed to
us. No man can say, at that day, that his record is not true, for the means by
which it is recorded are perfect and eternal.
Nor can we escape from our sins and imperfections, except through
repentance and acceptance of the Gospel. In this way, only, will our evil
deeds be blotted out that they shall not be our accusers, in all their
hideousness, in that day of judgment. We cannot hide front he presence of the
Lord. There is no darkness thick enough through which the rays of truth will
not penetrate. There is no height nor depth where we may go and not be
discovered. The psalmist has said:
Whither shall I go from they spirit? or whither shall I flee
from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in
hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost
parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall
hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night
shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth
as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Psalms 139:7-11.
We are informed that the books will be opened. One of these books will be
the record of our lives as it is kept in heaven. Other books which will be
opened are records which have been kept on earth. Front he very organization
of the Church the lord has given instruction that records should be kept of
the members of the Church. "It shall be the duty of the several churches,
comprising the Church of Christ," one revelation reads, "to send one or more
of their teachers to attend the several conferences held by the elders of the
church, with a list of the names of the several members uniting themselves
with the church since the last conference." This was the custom in the early
day of the Church, but today, as we are more nearly perfect in our
organization, with definite units known as stakes, wards and branches, the
records are kept in the ward or branch in which the respective members reside.
However, their names are sent up each year to the general gathering place for
the records of the Church, and are filed with the Church Recorder. Not only
are the names recorded, but also other matters pertaining to the faithfulness
and activities of the members are recorded. All of this is done in harmony
with the revelations of the Lord. Moreover, commandment has been given that
when men rebel against the Church and lose their membership their names shall
be blotted out from the records.
Each member of the Church should guard his membership with the greatest
care. All who have been baptized into the Church and who keep the commandments
of the Lord have their names written in the Lamb's Book of Life. The Lord says
of him who is obedient to these commandments:
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name of the book f life, but I will
confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rev.
3:5.
Many members of the church consider their membership and standing in the
Church too lightly. They move from place to place, without a thought of their
standing. Years may pass and them when they repent and desire to affiliate
again with the Church they have no standing. No bishop can recommend them;
their lives for several years have been unknown to any official member of the
Church. Is this not a sad predicament? Can they be considered worthy members
of the Church? Who can tell what sins they have committed, or whether they
have become really repentant? And what is worse, some members drift away in
this manner and never again affiliate with the Church. Under such conditions
that Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in them; they cannot feel that they are
in fellowship with the church, for have they not refused to maintain that
fellowship?
Moreover it is a dreadful thing to be cut off from the Church. It is
spiritual death, banishment from the kingdom and presence of God. "But the
hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, " said the Lord, "either in
life or in death, even as I will; and woe unto them who are cut off from my
church, for the same are overcome of the world." (D.C. 50:8). There have been
cases where individuals, and families, have moved away from organized wards or
branches, so that they would not be cut off from the Church, knowing full well
that their actions warranted it. What they should have done is to repent and
ask forgiveness for wrongdoing. The act of moving where there is no church
organization will not save them, as this passage above quoted clearly shows.
If they are overcome by the world, and no action is taken by the authorized
officers of the Church, then they will be cut off in death, if they repent
not. "Wherefore," saith the Lord, "Let every man beware lest he do that which
is not in truth and righteousness before me." D.C. 50:9.
Every official ordinance, such as baptism, confirmation, ordination to
the Priesthood, should be performed in the presence of witnesses and should be
properly recorded. Each member should see that his mane is properly written on
the records of the Church, also the dates when he was baptized, confirmed,
ordained and married; and likewise that the names of and ordinances for the
members of his family are recorded. For our of these records we are to be
judged. What we do officially in the Church is also bound in the heavens; but
it must also be recorded on earth, for the Lord has commanded it. Especially
is this true in the case of the work for the dead. All ordinance work in the
temples must be witnessed; and the witnesses must certify to this work on the
record. This course the Lord has marked our for the Church and it is followed
in all the temples. These witnesses testify that they saw with their eyes and
heard with their ears and the names for whom the work was performed and to
those who officiated. These records are preserved carefully in the archives of
the Church.
The Prophet Joseph says: "You may think this order of things to be very
particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by
conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and
prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who
should die without a knowledge of the Gospel." D.C. 128:5.
Ask almost any member of the Church when he was born and without
hesitation he can tell you. Yet all he knows about it is what he has been told
by his father and mother. Perhaps it was recorded at the time in the family
Bible, for was it not a most important event? To each of us birth is most
important for it is our beginning in this probation, so we remember the date
as it is told to us, and we have to depend on witnesses for the date. If we
discover someone who does not know the day he was born, we pity him; he
becomes an object of curiosity among men. Birth, however, is not the only
important event in life. Is it not just as important to be born into the
kingdom of God? But who pays much attention to this date which we are each old
enough to remember? Every few days someone writes into the Historian's Office
asking if we can furnish their date of baptism; or when they were ordained.
They need this information and do not have it. Surely that information should
be on the records of the Church. It is the duty of the Church to see that it
is recorded; but should not each member also have this knowledge at his
command? The time welcome in the life of each baptized person, if he goes on
in faithfulness seeking the fullness of the kingdom, when he will have to know
when he was baptized. He may need that information many times. Will he not
need to have some knowledge, or record of it, when he stands before the
judgement when the books are opened? The Prophet taught:
And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was
contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he
declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead; small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of
life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works D.C. 128:6.
And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like
unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new.
Ether 13:9.
When the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked to explain the meaning of the
sixth verse of the fourth chapter of John's Revelation: "And before the throne
there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne,
were four beasts full of eyes before and behind," he made this inspired
answer: "It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state," and
of the beasts full of eyes, he said, "They are figurative expressions, used by
the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness
of man, of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that
which is spiritual begin in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that
which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of
man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every
other creature which God has created." D.C. 77:1-2.
The general belief in relation to the final abode of man is that he will
dwell in a heaven where God is, and that this heaven is somewhere off in
space. Heaven is, to many minds, more r less an ethereal, intangible place,
the habitation of beings of like nature. We hear the people sing of the
"Land of the true, where we live anew,
Beautiful Isle of Some-where."
But to all Latter-day Saints the scriptures have made it clear that this
very earth is to be the abode of the righteous. It is a very beautiful world
even now, as far as its physical features are concerned, when the Lord blesses
the people with time and seasons, and former and latter rains; but what we see
today is nothing to be compared with what the earth will be when it is
redeemed.
Today this earth is passing through its mortal state just as are all
creatures upon it. In a short time a change shall come over it and it shall be
made more beautiful; all sin shall be banished from its face; peace and plenty
shall be universal. Men will love each other and enmity will cease. This
condition will continue for one thousand years, and then the conditions of
wickedness will return, Satan will be loosed for a little season, in which he
will prepare his forces for the last great conflict between good and evil.
At the close of this short period, when Lucifer and his followers shall
be banished, the earth will die and pass away, being finally consumed by fire.
This, however, is not the end of the earth; it shall not be destroyed, even
though it shall be dissolved.
Isaiah predicted the death of the earth in these words:
Life up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth
beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth
shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die
in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my
righteousness shall not be abolished. Isa. 51:6.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and
fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. Isa
24:4.
These are poetical expressions, it is true, but they are not to be taken
spiritually, but literally. The language of the revelation to Joseph Smith is
not so poetical but the meaning is certainly very clear so that in reading it
we need not err as to the definite information regarding the passing away of
the earth, as well as all other things mortal. This is the word of the Lord in
the revelation:
And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of
a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and
transgresseth not the law
Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it
shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by
which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.
For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a
spiritual body. D.C. 88:25-27.
In Section 29, of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord informs us that
the earth shall be consumed and pass away with its heaven, but only to be
renewed, "for all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new,
even the heaven and the earth, and all the fullness thereof, both of men and
beast, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea."
In that great change, or resurrection, which shall come to this earth, it
shall be sanctified, celestialized and made a fit abode even for God the
Father, who shall grace it with his presence. (D.C. 88:19) Then shall the
righteous, those who have become sanctified through the law of God, possess it
for ever as their abode. This earth is destined to become the everlasting
residence of its inhabitants who gain the glory of the celestial kingdom. It
shall become in that day like the throne of God and shall shine forth with all
the splendor and brightness of celestial glory in its eternal, sanctified and
glorious state.
President Brigham Young, speaking of the sanctification of the earth, has
said:
When sin and iniquity are driven from the earth, and the
spirits that now float in this atmosphere are driven into the place
prepared for them; and when the earth is sanctified from the effects
of the fall, and baptized, cleansed, and purified by fire, and
returns to its paradisiacal state, and has become like a sea of
glass, A Urim and Thummim; when all this is done, and the Savior has
presented the earth to his Father, and it is placed in the cluster
of the celestial kingdoms, and the Son, and all his faithful
brethren and sisters have received the welcome plaudit "Enter ye
into the joy of your Lord," and the Savior is crowed, then and not
till then, will the Saints receive their everlasting inheritances. I
want you to understand this. J.D. 17:117.
Moreover, he said:
If the people could fully understand this matter, they would
perceive that it is perfectly reasonable and has been the law to all
worlds (i.e. the ordinances of the Gospel). And this world, so
benighted at present, and so lightly esteemed by infidels, as
observed by Brother Clements, when it becomes celestialized, it will
be like the sun, and be prepared for the habitation of the Saints,
and be brought back into the presence of the Father and the son. It
will not then be an opaque body as it now is, but it will be like
the stars of the firmament, full of light and glory; it will be a
body of light. John compared it, in its celestialized state, to a
sea of glass. J.D. 7:163.
Further light is given us in relation to the destiny of our earth by the
Prophet Joseph smith, and is recorded in Section 130 of the Doctrine and
Covenants, a follows:
The angels do not reside on a planet like this earth;
But they reside in the presence of god, on a globe like a sea
of glass and fire, where all things for their glory are manifest,
past, present, and future, and are continually before the Lord.
The place where God resides is a great Urim and Thummim.
This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made
like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants
who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior
kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those
who dwells on it; and this earth will be Christ's.
Then the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become
a urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby
things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known;
And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the
celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man
knoweth save he that receiveth it. Sec. 130:6-11.
We marvel today at the wonders of the radio, the telegraph, the airship,
and a thousand other discoveries which make the life of man more agreeable and
less burdensome than that of toil and fatigue which our fathers endured.
Through photography, the moving-picture and in various ways, the past and the
present are revealed; but without the help of the Spirit of the Lord we know
very little of the future. No man can tell positively by the record of the day
which has closed what the morrow will bring. We go to bed each night felling
sure that the morning will bring the presence of the shining sun, but in this
world of change we never know when some change will come. We have been told
that there shall come a day when the sun shall hide his face; when the stars
shall be hid, when trouble and commotion shall take the place of peace and
tranquility. What a glorious condition will be brought to pass, when we, if we
are worthy to obtain the celestial kingdom, may look into the earth and see
the past, the present and the future, and know that what we see will not
change, for it is gnolaum, or eternal. What a glorious time it will be when,
if we are worthy, we will have revealed to us all things pertaining to lesser
orders of worlds; yes even things of other celestial bodies greater than our
earth.
In that day we shall discover that the vastness of the universe can be
traversed. New conditions will be revealed to us. By Urim and Thummim, the
revelations of the great empire of God, as it fills the immensity of space,
will be revealed and we shall be a part of it, knowing as we are known.
Without question we will have communication with our fellow beings the
children of God throughout all space. Is this impossible? It is not impossible
with God. He known all things, for "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 this by celestial law! By his infinite power and
wisdom our Father governs in the universe; this he cannot do unless his is
familiar with it. We too shall become like him, possessors of this great
knowledge, so that the vastness of the universe will not stand in the way of
our becoming acquainted with the children of God in the various parts of this
vast empire.
To the finite mind this may seem impossible; we certainly would not
believe it so had the Father not revealed it, but he has said that we shall
gain knowledge of both inferior and superior worlds. Does this appear any more
impossible to us today than the wonders of the radio would have been to our
grandfathers? What could have been apparently more impossible than that a man
should speak in an ordinary tone of voice and be heard, under proper
conditions, in all parts of this world? See how the earth has shrunk,
figuratively speaking. Not many generations ago men never dreamed of
circumnavigating the earth to them it was impossible. It has not been many
generations since it took Magellan's men some three years to make that
journey. A few years ago (June, 1931), two men made the journey around the
world in nine days! What the Lord will yet make known to mortals in the shape
of wonders, we do not know, but every man anticipates that greater things are
at hand to be developed by man's ingenuity, and, let us add, by the will and
inspiration from the Lord. Yet mortal man is limited, he can go just as far as
he is permitted by divine will, and no farther. Let us have faith in the
Infinite the Creator of all things, and his promises.
These were printed in the issues from Oct., 1931 to July 1932.
Reprinted from the Era, 31:271-276.
See chapter 7, "The Appointment of Lineage."
Reprinted from the Era, 33:467-469.
President John Taylor, in his Government of God, and Elder Parley P.
Pratt, in his Voice of Warning, give us further instruction in relation to the
changes that shall take place when Christ comes. See also the Compendium, Art.
"Millennial Reign."