Scriptures pertaining to the Fullness of Priesthood, Glory, Light, Love, Spirit, Presence
“The Priest-Hood According to the Holy Order of God”
Entering the FULLNESS of His “Rest” (Glory, PRESENCE of God, Spirit, Priest-Hood) RIGHT NOW! Return Of Translated Beings and Transfiguration of those who Re-Ceive His Fullness (144,000) in the Last 3 ½ Years.
Doctrine & Covenants 45:28–31When 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 Re-Ceive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.
3 Nephi 16:10–11At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fullness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the Fullness of “My” gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fullness of my gospel from among them. And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto My people, O house of Israel, and I will bring “My” Gospel unto them.
1 Nephi 10:12–14My father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had Re-Ceived the fullness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.
D&C 76: 5-94 5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear Me (stand in Awe), and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. 6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their Glory.
7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
8 Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations.
9 And their wisdom (Holy Spirit) 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.
10 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. 11 We, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, being IN the Spirit on the sixteenth day of February 1832 12 By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God,
13 Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning; 14 Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision.
40 And this is The Gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—
41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness;
43 Who glorifies the Father, and saves ALL the works of His Hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.
50 And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of The gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on His “Name” and were baptized after the manner of His burial, being buried in the water in His “Name”, and this according to the commandment which he has given—
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; 53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. 54 They are they who are the Church of the Firstborn. 55 They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things—
57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son.
59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
60 And they shall overcome all things. 61 Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet.
63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.
64 These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.
65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the Living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
67 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.
69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect at-One-ment through the shedding of his own blood.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the Church of the Firstborn who have received the Fullness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.
92 And thus we saw the Glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
94 They who dwell in “His Presence” are the Church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his Fullness and of His Grace;
D&C 78: 17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.
19 And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold; yea, more.
20 Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ah-Man, who prepareth all things before he taketh you;
21 For ye ARE the Church of the Firstborn, and He will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion.
Doctrine & Covenants 35:12–15 There are none that doeth good except those who are ready to Re-Ceive the fullness of My Gospel (glad tidings of Christ), which I have sent forth unto this generation. Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of “My Spirit”; And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. And the poor and the meek shall have My gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand.
Doctrine & Covenants 39:11Thou shalt preach the Fullness of My Gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover My people, which are of the house of Israel.
Doctrine & Covenants 27:5–6 The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the Fullness of my Everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim; And also with Elias, to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began, concerning the last days.
Doctrine & Covenants 77: 9-15
9. Question. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?
Answer. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias (ElijAH?) which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.
10 Q. What time are the things spoken of in this chapter to be accomplished?
A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.
11 Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe?
A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.
12 Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.
13 Q. When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation?
14 Q. What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things.
15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?
A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.
Alma 13:1–3 The Lord God ordained priests, after His Holy Order, which was after the Order of His Son, to teach these things unto the people. And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. 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; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. . . .
Alma 13:4–6 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren. Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared— And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high Priest-Hood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his Rest . .
Moroni 7: 3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church (of the Lamb) that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the Rest (Fullness of Glory D&C 84) of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall Rest with Him in heaven.
Alma 13:7–9 This high Priest-Hood 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 ordainance, and taking upon them the high Priest-Hood of the holy order, which calling, and ordainance, and high Priest-Hood, is without beginning or end—Thus they become 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.
Alma 13:16–19These ordainances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and Re-Ceived the office of the high Priest-Hood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace.
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;
29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the Love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his crest.
30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.
31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are NOT written in this book.
JST Genesis 14:25–3225 And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram.
26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.
27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,
28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;
29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.
30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.
32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.
33 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.
34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;
35 And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire.
36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.
37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the Keeper of the Storehouse of God;
38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.
39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.
Doctrine & Covenants 84:33–40 Whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two Priest-Hoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the Church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who Re-Ceive this Priest-Hood Re-Ceive me, saith the Lord; For he that Re-Ceiveth my servants Re-Ceiveth me; And he that Re-Ceiveth me Re-Ceiveth my Father; And he that Re-Ceiveth my Father Re-Ceiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the Priest-Hood. Therefore, all those who Re-Ceive the Priest-Hood, Re-Ceive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priest-hood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
45 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.
46 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.
47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of The Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.
48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.
Alma 4:20 In the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment–seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high Priest-Hood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the Spirit of revelation and prophecy.
Alma 45:17–19 When Alma had said these words he blessed the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from that time henceforth. And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of. Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also Re-Ceived Alma in the Spirit, unto himself.
Helaman 10:4–5Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.
Helaman 10:6–7 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people. Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people.
Helaman 10:16–17The Power of God (“My” Spirit) was with him, and they could not take him to cast him into prison, for he was taken by the Spirit and conveyed away out of the midst of them. And it came to pass that thus he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto them all, or sent it forth among all the people.
3 Nephi 28:9–10 Ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand. And for this cause ye shall have Fullness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me Fullness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one.
3 Nephi 28:27–30 They will be among the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall know them not. They will also be among the Jews, and the Jews shall know them not. And it shall come to pass, when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God (Holy Spirit) which is IN them. And they are as the angels of God.
Isaiah 6:2 Seraphs (angels & Translated beings) stood by him overhead, each having six wings. with two they could veil their presence, with two conceal their location, and with two fly about.
Isaiah 40:31 They who hope in Jehovah shall be renewed in strength: they shall ascend as on eagles’ wings; they shall run without wearying, they shall walk and not faint.
Doctrine & Covenants 7:5–6 My beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done. Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth.
Isaiah 62:6–7 I have appointed watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall not be silent day or night. You who call upon Jehovah, let not up nor give him respite till he reestablishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned in the earth.
Isaiah 54:17 Whatever weapon is devised against you, it shall not succeed; every tongue that rises to accuse you, you shall refute. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah,and such is their righteousness by “Me”.
Isaiah 43:2 When you cross the waters, I will be with you; [when you traverse] the rivers, you shall not be overwhelmed. Though you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned;its flame shall not consume you.
Moses 1:25–28 Calling upon the name of God, he [Moses] beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God. And lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days; for thou shalt deliver my people from bondage, even Israel my chosen. And it came to pass, as the voice was still speaking, Moses cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the Spirit of God. And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God.
Isaiah 41:2–3 Who has raised up Righteousness from the east, calling him to [the place of] his foot? Who has delivered nations to him, toppled their rulers, rendering them as dust to his sword, as driven stubble to his bow?
Doctrine & Covenants 77:9Q. What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse? A. We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the Everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will Re-Ceive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.
Isaiah 49:6 He [Jehovah] said: It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore those preserved of Israel. I will also appoint you to be a light to the Gentiles, that my salvation may be to the end of the earth.
Isaiah 49:8–9 Thus says Jehovah: At a favorable time I have answered you; in the day of salvation I have come to your aid: I have created you and appointed you to be a covenant of the people, to restore the Land and reapportion the desolate estates, to say to the captives, Come forth!and to those in darkness, Show yourselves!
Isaiah 51:9–10 Awake, arise; clothe yourself with power,
O arm of Jehovah!Bestir yourself, as in ancient times, as in generations of old.Was it not you who carved up Rahab, you who slew the dragon?Was it not you who dried up the Sea, the waters of the mighty deep, and made of ocean depths a way by which the redeemed might pass?
The Angel of God Led Israel’s Exodus—14:19–22The angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground.
Doctrine & Covenants 103:15–20The redemption of Zion must needs come by power; Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel. For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be. Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.
Jacob 5:61–63, 72Go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit. Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard. Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time. . . . And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
Jacob 6:2–3And the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power, to nourish and prune his vineyard; and after that the end soon cometh. And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard; and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.
Doctrine & Covenants 77:11Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the Everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.
Matthew 24:31He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Isaiah 27:13 In that day a loud trumpet shall sound,
and they who were lost in the land of Assyria and they who were outcasts in the land of Egyptshall come and bow down to Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
Isaiah 49:22–23 I will lift up my hand to the nations,
raise my ensign to the peoples;and they will bring your sons in their bosoms
and carry your daughters on their shoulders. Kings shall be your foster fathers, Queens your nursing mothers.
2 Nephi 10:7–9 When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance. And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance. Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles.
Isaiah 65:8–9 Thus says Jehovah: As when there is juice in a cluster of grapes and someone says, Don’t destroy it, it is still good, so I will do for the sake of my servants by not destroying everything.
I will extract offspring out of Jacob,and out of Judah heirs of my mountains; my chosen ones shall inherit them, my servants shall dwell there.
Doctrine & Covenants 103:9–10They were set to be a light unto the world, and to BE the saviors of men; And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
The fullness of Christ - The Fullness of Priest/Priestess Hood - The Fullness of the Father
JST Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets: and some, evangelists: and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 13. Till we, in the unity of the faith, all come to the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the Fullness of Christ; 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the Fullness of the blessing… of Christ.
D&C 76:20 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and Re-Ceived of His fullness;
D&C 76:56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have Re-Ceived of His Fullness, and of His Glory;
D&C 76;94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having Re-Ceived of his fullness and of His Grace;
(D&C: Section 76:94)
D&C 93: 16. And I, John, bear record that He Re-Ceived a fullness of the Glory of the Father;
D&C 93: 19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my “NAME” [Christ], and in due time Re-Ceive of his “Fullness”.
D&C 93: 20 For if you keep my commandments you shall Re-Ceive of his Fullness, and be glorified IN Me as I am IN the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall Re-Ceive grace for grace.
D&C 109:15 And that they may grow up in thee, and Re-Ceive a Fullness of the Holy Ghost, and be organized according to the laws, and be prepared to obtain every needful thing;
D&C 121: 25 For there is a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be.
26. God shall give unto you knowledge by His Holy Spirit, yea, by The Unspeakable Gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;
27. Which our forefathers have awaited with anxious expectation to be revealed in the last times, which their minds were pointed to by the angels, as held in reserve for the Fullness of their glory;
28. A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest.
29. All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
30. And also, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars--
31. All the times of their revolutions, all the appointed days, months, and years, and all the days of their days, months, and years, and all their glories, laws, and set times, shall be revealed in the days of the dispensation of the Fullness of times--
32. According to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and the end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest.
D&C 124:28 For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the Fullness of the Priest-Hood.
(see McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 425.)
D&C 132: 7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, (ordainances, bestowals,) 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 (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this Priest-Hood are conferred), 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 46:30 He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.
D&C 84:98 Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this New Song!
WJS Pg. 4 Prophet Joseph Smith: That we may be sealed up unto the day of redemption, this principle ought. (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed any thing to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve & even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to - bear them. for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor know ye the Lord for all shall know him (who Remain) from the least to the greatest, How is this to be done? It is to be done by the sealing power & the Other Comforter spoken of which will be manifest by revelation (See D&C 88 2-5).
Jeremiah 31: 31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
. . . . The Lord revealed that the Priest-Hood and its ordainances were "instituted from before the foundation of the world" (D&C 124:33, 34), and commanded that a temple be built at Nauvoo as a place to "restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the Fullness of the Priest-Hood" (D&C 124:28). Sacred ordainances could then be performed for "therein are the keys of the holy Priest-Hood ordained" (D&C 124:34).
. . . . Men and woman have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But, in the woman's part, she is not just equal to man, she is superior! She can do that which he can never do, not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone.
And, blessings bestowed impartially upon man and woman alike include: baptism; the gift of the Holy Ghost; the testimony of Jesus; personal revelation; the ministry of angels; the responsibility to teach, to testify, to exhort, to edify, and to comfort; the faith to be healed, and many other Spiritual gifts, all under a uniform standard of worthiness. And, the highest ordainances in the house of the Lord they Re-Ceive together and equally, or not at all.
D&C 84:18 this "holy Priest-Hood after the order of the son of God" (D&C 107:3). For, in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the Priest-Hood [meaning the new and Everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it." (D&C 131:1-4.) I know that the son of God is our Redeemer. Reverently I give thanks to God the Father for the consummate blessing: a sweetheart, wife, companion, friend, a help-meet, a woman! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (A Tribute to Women; Priest-Hood Restoration Fireside; Elder Boyd K. Packer; May 7, 1989.)
Malachi 4: 6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
WJS Pg. 303 n21: .the Prophet Joseph here clarifies that the Patriarchal Priest-Hood was NOT the same as the crowing ordainances of the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood. Elias returned the authority of promising innumerable posterity, but Elijah is to restore the fullness of the Priest-Hood (D&C 110:12-16; and D&C 124)
Wilford Woodruff Journal
A large assembly of Saints met at the Temple & were addressed by President Joseph Smith...God gathers together the people in the last days to build unto the Lord an house to prepare them for the Ordainances & endowment washings & anointings & one of the ordainances of the house of the Lord is Baptism for the dead ( a Symbol for Immersion in the Holy Spirit which sanctifies and creates a whole new creature IN Christ). If a man gets(Re-ceives) the “Fullness of God” he was to get [it]… by keeping (Re-Ceiving) all the ordainances of (From) the Lord. (WJS: p. 213.) (When the Lord ordains you, will you Keep it or waste it?)
What was the power of Melchizedek? 'Twas not the Priest-Hood of Aaron which ministers the ordainances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that Priest-Hood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, ministering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the Priest-Hood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a Priest-Hood. (Teachings: p. 322-323.)
The Sending of Elijah
TPJS Page 330: What shall I talk about to-day? I know what Brother Cahoon wants me to speak about. He wants me to speak about the coming of Elijah in the last days. I can see it in his eye. I will speak upon that subject then.
The Bible says, "I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
Now, the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to be fulfilled: The keys are to be delivered, the Spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion.
But how are the to be saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordainances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted (by Christ) to thrones of Glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah. and I would to God that this temple was now done, that we might go into it, and go to work and improve our time, and make use of the seals while they are on earth.
All Ordainances Necessary
The question is frequently asked, "Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordainances?" I would answer, No, not the Fullness of salvation. Jesus said, There are many mansions in my Father's house, and I will go and prepare a place for you. House here named should have been translated kingdom; and any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide in a celestial law, and the whole law too.
But there has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow to understand. (TPJSmith: p. 331.)
For the Living and the Dead
Now was this merely confined to the living, to settle difficulties with families on earth? By no means. It was a far greater work. Elijah! what would you do if you were here? Would you confine your work to the living alone? No: I would refer you to the Scriptures, where the subject is manifest: that is, without us, they could not be made perfect, nor we without them; the fathers without the children, nor the children without the fathers. I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important: and if you will Re-Ceive it, this is the Spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven. This is the power of Elijah and the keys of the kingdom of JehovAH. (Teachings: p. 338.)
Jos Smith, Jr. 1842, Hist. of the Church, 5:139-140.)
The Lord Almighty...will continue to preserve...until I have fully accomplished my mission in this life, and so firmly established the dispensation of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood in the last days, that all the powers of earth and hell can never prevail against it.
Franklin D. Richards "Scriptural Items"
Joseph said The reason why the Jews were scattered and their House left unto them Desolate was because they refused to be gathered that the Fullness of the Priest-Hood might be revealed among them which never can be done but by the gathering of the People (TWOJS, p. 215) [This is why we have gathered all our progenitors into one place, the Spirit world, and are gathering them by gathering their records and doing their work for them that they ultimately may Re-Ceive the Fullness of the Priest-Hood].
James Burgess Notebook
...Abraham's was a more exalted power or Priest-Hood he could talk and walk with God and yet consider how great this man was when even this patriarch Abraham gave a tenth part of all his spoils and then Re-Ceived a blessing under the hands of Melchezedek, even the last law, or a Fullness of Priest-Hood which constituted him a king and priest after the order of Melchesidek or an endless life (The Words Of Joseph Smith, p. 246).
What was the power of Melchisedick? twas not P. of Aaron &c. a king & a priest to the Most High God. a perfect law of Theocracy (RE-Ceiving) keys of power & blessings. stood as God to give laws to the people administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam kingly powers. of anointing.(1)0--Abram says Melchisedec.-- away I have a Priest-Hood.--
Salvavation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
How shall god come to the rescue of this generation. He shall send Elijah law revealed to Moses in Horeb--never was revealed to the Ch. of Israel and he shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers.(1)1--anointing & sealing--called elected and made sure(1)2 without father &c.(1)3 a Priest-Hood which holds the Priest-Hood by right from the Eternal Gods.--and not be descent from father and mother(1)4 2nd Priest-Hood, patriarchal authority finish that temple and God will fill it with power. (TWOJS, p. 244-245).
Abrahams Patriarchal power which is the greatest yet experienced in this church (2)1
3d That of Melchisedec who had still greater power even power of an endless life of which was aour Lord Jesus Christ which also Abraham obtained by the offering of his son Isaac which was not the power of a Prophet nor apostle nor Patriarch only but of King & Priest(2)2 to God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out the peace & Law of endless Life to man(2)3 & No man can attain to the Joint heirship(2)4 with Jesus Christ with out being administered to by One having the same power & Authority of Melchisedec(2)5 Joseph also said that the Holy Ghost (2)6 is now in a state of Probation which if he should preform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar course of things that the Son has. (The Words of Joseph Smith, p. 245.)
...Abraham's was a more exalted power or Priest-Hood he could talk and walk with God and yet consider how great this man was when even this patriarch Abraham gave a tenth part of all his spoils and then Re-Ceive a blessing under the hands of Melchesidec (2)9 even the last law or a Fullness of Priest-Hood(3)0 which constituted him a king and priest after the order of Melchisidec or an endless life (TWOJS, p. 246.)
9. At no time before in the history of the Church had the Prophet talked so freely in public of ordainances whereby men were ordained kings and priests. These ordainances were not introduced in Kirtland because Elijah had not come to confer the Fullness of the Priest-Hood upon the Prophet before he administered the Kirtland Temple ordainances. Obviously the Prophet could only administer temple ordainances as he then understood them. (TWOJS, p. 302.)
10. The "kingly/(Queenly) powers" of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood would be conferred by an "anointing." (TWOJS, p. 302.)
12. "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of The (Fulness of) Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
...Apparently it is one thing to Re-Ceive the anointing and sealing blessings of the Priest-Hood and another thing form them to be called, elected, and made sure. [One is sealed by the Priest-Hood and another (Fullness) seal is by the Holy Ghost.] (TWOJS, p. 302.) [There are two parts to every 1. anointing and 2. sealing.
14. That is, the Fullness of the Priest-Hood comes "NOT by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but OF God" (JST Genesis 14:28). See also JST Hebrews 7:3. (TWOJS, p. 303.)
21. The Prophet here teaches that though Abraham had not yet Re-Ceived the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, he had Re-Ceived from the Lord the promise of an innumerable posterity both for this world and in the world to come (D&C 132:28-31). Joseph Smith, however, clarifies that Abraham's endowment (Abraham Facsimile Number 2, figures 3 and 7) was greater than that which his descendants Aaron and Levi would be allowed; and thus "Abraham's" Patriarchal Priest-Hood (the ordainances of the endowment and patriarchal marriage for time and eternity) comprehended the Aaronic portion of the endowment. Additionally, the Prophet here clarifies that the Patriarchal Priest-Hood was not the same as the crowning ordainances of the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood. Elias returned the authority of promising innumerable posterity, but Elijah reveals the…. Fullness of the Priest-Hood (D&C 110:12-16).
Aside from this theological commentary, it is important to point out that the Prophet's teachings fit perfectly within a historical context. Joseph Smith administered the first ordainances of the Patriarchal Priest-Hood on 4 May 1842 when he gave both the Aaronic and Melchizedek portions of the endowment to nine men in his store in Nauvoo (see History of the Church, 5:1-2, or Teachings, p. 137; and H. W. Mills, "De Tal Palo Tal Astilla," Annual Publications--Historical Society of Southern California 10 [Los Angeles: McBride Printing Company, 1917]:120-21). By a year later, most of the nine Re-Ceived the ordainances of marriage for time and eternity. In particular, the Prophet and his wife, Emma, and James and Harriet Adams were sealed on 28 May 1843 (Joseph Smith Diary, Church Archives). Similarly, Hyrum Smith and his wife, Mary Fielding, Brigham Young and his wife, Mary Ann, and Willard Richard and his wife, Jennetta, were all sealed (Symbollically) the next day. But the higher ordainances that confer the Fullness of the Priest-Hood had not as yet been administered. However one month and a day after this 27 August 1843 discourse, Joseph and Emma Re-Ceived the anointing and ordination "of the highest and holiest order of the Priest-Hood" (Joseph Smith Diary, 28 September 1843, Church Archives). Hence by 27 August 1843, "Abrahams patriarchal power...[was] the greatest yet experienced in [the] church." [Here we see that women are anointed and ordained to this "highest and Holiest Order of the Priest-Hood" (Joseph Smith Diary, 28 September 1843, Church archives)].
...Brigham Young demonstrates that the Prophet made clear to those who had Re-Ceived the endowment and patriarchal marriage ordainances, that they had not as yet Re-Ceived the Fullness of the Priest-Hood. On 6 August 1843, Brigham Young said, "If any in the church [have] the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood [I do] not know it. For any person to have the Fullness of that Priest-Hood, he must be a king and priest.(Queen & Priestess)" Since he had Re-Ceived, with eight others, an anointing in 1842 promising him he would, if faithful, eventually Re-Ceive another anointing actually ordaining him a king and a priest, Brigham Young therefore added, "A person may be anointed a king and a priest long before he Re-Ceives his kingdom (History of the Chruch, 5:527,...). Based on his understanding from Joseph the Prophet, Brigham Young said of this third order of Priest-Hood blessings, "Those who...come in here [the Nauvoo Temple] and have Re-Ceived their washings & anointing will...be ordained Kings & Priests, and will then have Re-Ceived the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, all that can be given on earth" (Heber C. Kimball Journal, kept by william Clayton, 26 December 1845, Church Archives...). This is the theological and historical context for the Prophet's comments on the three orders of the temple blessings outlined in this extremely important discourse. [summarize the three temple blessings 1. 2. 3. expand...] (TWOJS, p. 303-304.)
22. As high and important to the Church as the office of prophet, apostle and patriarch are, nevertheless, these highest ecclesiastical ordainations do not confer the Power of Elijah, the sealing power of the Priest-Hood, or the power of a king and priest. As President Joseph Fielding Smith expressed it:
I do not care what office you hold in the Church--you may be an apostle, you may be a patriarch, a high priest, or anything else--but you cannot Re-Ceive the fullness of the Priest-Hood and the Fullness of eternal reward unless you Re-Ceive the ordainances… of the Lord... Then [the door is] open so you can obtain all the blessings which any man can.... You can have ["the fullness of the Lord's blessings"] sealed upon you as an elder, if you are faithful; and when you Re-Ceive them, and live faithfully and keep these covenants, you then all that any man can get. There is no exaltation in the kingdom of God without the Fullness of the Priest-Hood" (Joseph Fielding Smith, first address to the Priest-Hood as President of the Church, 4 April 1970, The Improvement Era 73 [June 1970]: 65-66). (TWOJS, p. 304-305).
29. All acts within the Priest-Hood must be sealed by the Priest-Hood, which is Christ, and a ratifying seal by the Holy Spirit of Promise - Which is Christ...Abraham Re-Ceived the "anointing and sealing" (the Priest-Hood ordination of king and priest) under the hands of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-24 and JST Genesis 14:25-40), but the "election sure"--the absolute assurance of power in the Priest-Hood--came directly from God only after Abraham indicated his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (sacrifice all) (Genesis 22:1-14). (TWOJS, p. 305.)
1. A person is called, elected, and this calling and election is made sure by Priest-Hood ordainance, anointing, sealing, confirmation etc. Then
2. These callings, elections, ordinations, anointings, sealings, confirmations and etc. are ONLY ratified (Sealed) by the Holy Ghost....]
3. One of the major milestones, if not the major milestone, of the Latter-day work was to be the restoration of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood (D&C 124:28). The Prophet's "mission... [was to] firmly [establish] the dispensation of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood in the last days, that all the powers of earth and hell [could] never prevail against it" (History of the church, 5:140, or Teachings, p. 258). What was this Fullness of the Priest-Hood? The most concise but inclusive definition of the authority of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood was given by Joseph Smith in his 10 March 1844 discourse when he said, "Now for Elijah; the Spirit, power and calling of Elijah is that ye have power to hold the keys of revelations, ordainances, oracles, powers and endowments of the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood and of the Kingdom of God on the Earth and to Re-Ceive, obtain and perform all belonging to the kingdom of God...[to] have power to seal on ear and in heaven." However, the Prophet had not as yet administered the ordainances that made men kings and priests. Brighan Young said three weeks before this discourse that no one yet in the Church had the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood, "For any person to have the Fullness of that Priest-Hood, he must be a king and priest" (History of the Church 5:527,...) These ordainances were instituted on 28 Sept 1843 and in the next five months were conferred on twenty men and their wives,....) (TWOJS p. 305-306.)
All ordainances of the temple that are done for the living, including marriage for time and eternity and the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, can also be done for the dead (see james E. Talmage, The house of the Lord [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1968], pp. 163 and 211, and B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--Century 1 6 vols. [Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1965] 6:495). (TWOJS, p. 385-386.)
Doctrine Election.--sealing of the servants of God on the top of their heads.(7) ...doctrine of Election to Abraham was in the relation to the Lord. a man(woman) wishes to be embraced (eternally in the Arms of the Lord) in the covenant of Abraham. A man Judge Higby--in world of Spirits. is sealed unto the throne, & doctrine of Election sealing the father/(mother) & children together.(8) (TWOJS, p. 239.)
7. At this time Joseph Smith was not willing to discuss the temple ordainances of conferral of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, of marriage for time and eternity, or of sealing children to parents; nevertheless, he indicated that the conferral of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood was a "sealing...on top of the head" of which the phrase "sealed in their foreheads" was symbolic. Furthermore, Joseph Smith here taught that it was through the ordainance of conferral of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood that men could be qualified to be a part of the special missionary force of the last days which would number 144,000 high priests (D&C 77:8-11, 14). When Cornelius p Lott and his wife Re-Ceived these ordainances on 4 February 1844, the Prophet indicated that "the selection of [the] persons to perform that number had already commenced." He had already conferred these blessings on at least 17 men (History of the Church, 6:196 and Wilford Woodruff Journal, under date given). (WOJS, p. 297.)
8. According to the teachings that the Prophet gave in private (but which he only hinted at in this discourse), to be heir to Abraham's promise that he would head an innumerable posterity, each individual and his children must be sealed for time and eternity. If this sealing was performed, he taught, the covenant relationship would then continue throughout eternity. The Prophet taught, moreover, that such a patriarchal Priest-Hood of kings and priests would have to be established by sealing children and parents back through Abraham to Adam in order to fulfill the mission of Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6). When this was accomplished, the order within the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom would then be eternally set. Probably no clearer statement of Joseph's theology regarding this concept can be found than what is given in an editorial by Orson Hyde.
Joseph washed and anointed [us] as Kings and Priests to God, and over the House of Israel,...[because] he was commanded of God, [to do so]... and [thereby] conferred on us Patriarchal Priest-Hood.( )(George Miller to James J. Strang, 26 June 1855, cited in H. W. Mills, "De Tal Palo Tal Astilla, "Annual Publications--Historical Society of Southern California 10 (Los Angeles: Mcbride Printing Company, 1917): 120-21.)
Of the four participants who left testimonies of the occasion, Willard Richard's April 1845 expansion of the Prophet's journal entry for 4 May 1842 represents the best statement on the significance of the ordainances performed that day.
4 Wednesday may 4-I spent the day in the upper part of the Store (IE.) in my private office (so called, because in that room I kept my sacred writings, translated ancient records, and Re-Ceived revelations) and in my general business office, or lodge rome (IE) where the Masonic fraternity met occasionally for want of a better place), in council with Gen James Adams, of Springfield, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Bishops Newel K. Whitney, & Geo. Miller, ...& Preists Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball & Willard Richards, instructing them in the principles and order of the Priest-Hood, attending to Washings & Anointings, endowments, and the communications of keys, pertaining to the Aaronic Priest-Hood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchisedec Priest-Hood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of days & all those plans & principles by which any one is enabled to secure the Fullness of those blessings which has been prepared for the church of the firstborn, and come up and abide in the presence of God in the [last two words blotted out] Eloheim in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the Ancient order of things for the first time in these last days. And the communications I made to... [this] Council where of things Spiritual, and to be Re-Ceived only by the Spiritual minded: and there was nothing made known to these men but will be made known to all Saints, of the last days, so soon as they are prepared to Re-Ceive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them, even to the weakest of the Saints: therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the temple and all houses which they have been or shall hereafter be commanded of god to build, and wait their time with patience, in all meekness and faith, & perserverance unto the end. knowing assuredly that all these things referred to in this council are always governed by the principles of Revelation. (Draft sheet of the "Manuscript History of the Church." in th hand of Willard Richards, 4 May 1842, Historian's Office Church Records Group, Church Archives.)
On 4 and 5 May 1842, for the first time in the history of the Church, the key principles of the Ancient or Patriarchal order of the Priest-Hood were conferred. According to Richards's summary, four essential concepts regarding man's relationship to God were conveyed by these ordainances: (1) The participants Re-Ceived washings and anointings wherein they were promised that if they continued true and faithful they would by another anointing be ordained kings and priests unto God (Revelation !: 5-6, 5:10); for the anointing they Re-Ceived that day was only "preparatory to further blessings;" (Wilford Woodruff, Journal, 2 December 1843, Wilford Woodruff Collection, Church Archives.) (2) They Re-Ceived the "keys of the Priest-Hood," viz., signs, tokens, penalties and key words; some pertained to the Aaronic Priest-Hood, others pertained to the Melchizedek Priest-Hood; however, the keys given were all of the keys given in the order to the Ancient of Days (Adam) or Patriarchal Priest-Hood; (3) Though this Priest-Hood order did not confer the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, it "pertained to the highest order" in that it presented all the "plans and principles" that would "enable" anyone "to secure" in this life or before the resurrection the Fullness of the Priest-Hood; and , (4) The principles taught that day were to enable to participants eventually to pass through the veil into the presence of the Gods. (Joseph Smith's Introduction of Temple ordainances & the 1844 Mormon Succession Question" M.A. Thesis, BYU, 1982, p. 28-30.)
Minutes of the Female Relief Society's Meeting--Remarks of the Prophet.
My feelings at the present time are that, inasmuch as the Lord Almighty has preserved me until today, He will continue to preserve me, by the united faith and prayers of the Saints, until I have fully accomplished my mission in this life, and so firmly established the dispensation(dispensing) of the Fullness of the Priest-Hood in the last days, so that all the powers of earth and hell can never prevail against it. (H. C., Vol. 5:139-140.)
Meeting of the Twelve Apostles in Philadelphia.
...For any person to have the Fullness of that Priest-Hood, he must be a king and priest. A person may have a portion of that Priest-Hood, the same as governors or judges of England have power from the king to transact business; but that does not make them kings of England. A person may be anointed king and priest long before he Re-Ceives his kingdom. (H. C., Vol. 5:527.)
Of the truth of the gospel concerning the just,
That rise in the first resurrection of Christ.
Who receiv'd and believ'd, and repented likewise,
And then were baptis'd, as a man always was,
Who ask'd and receiv'd a remission of sin,
And honored the kingdom by keeping its laws.
Being buried in water as Jesus had been,
And Keeping the whole of his holy commands,
They Re-Ceived the Gift of the Spirit of truth,
By the ordainance truly of laying on hands.
For these overcome, by their faith and their works,
Being tried in their life-time, as purified gold,
And sealed by the Spirit of Promise, to Life,
By men called of God, as was Aaron of old.
They are they, of the Church of the Firstborn of God.--
And unto whose hands he committeth all things;
For they hold the keys of the kingdom of heav'n,
And reign with the Savior, as priests, and as kings.
They're priests of the order of Melchisedek,
Like Jesus, (from whom is this highest reward,)
Receiving a Fullness of Glory and Light;
As written: They're God’s; even the sons(& Daughters) of the Lord.
So all things are theirs; yes, of life, or of death;
Yes, Whether things now, or to come, all are theirs,
And they are the Savior's and he is the Lord's,
Having overcome all, as eternity's heirs.
'Twas wisdom that man never glory in man,
But give God the glory for all that he hath;
For the righteous will walk in the “Presence of God”,
While the wicked are trod under foot in his wrath.
Yes, the righteous shall dwell in the Presence of God,
And of Jesus, forever, from earth's second birth--
For when he comes down in the splendor of hev'n,
All these he'll bring with him, to reign on the earth.
These are they that arise in their bodies of flesh,
When the trump of the first resurrection shall sound;
These are they that come up to Mount Zion, in life,
When the blessings and gifts of the Spirit abound.
These are they that have come to the heavenly place;
To the numberless courses of angels above;
To the city of God; e'en the holiest of all,
And the home of the blessed, the Fountain of Love:
To the Church of old Enoch, and of the Firstborn:
And gen'ral assembly of ancient renown'd.
Whose names are all kept in the archives of heav'n,
As chosen and faithful, and fit to be crown'd.
These are they that are perfect through Jesus' own blood,
Whose bodies celestial are mention'd by Paul,
Where the sun is the typical glory thereof,
And God, and his Christ, are the true judge of all. (Times and Seasons, Vol. 4:84-85, Joseph Smith)
Those holding the Fullness of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. (Teachings, p. 322.)
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the Priest-Hood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a Priest-Hood. (Teachings, p. 322-323.)
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure. (Teachings, p. 323.)
The question is frequently asked, "Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordainances?" I would answer, No, not the Fullness of salvation. (Teachings 331.)
...What you seal on earth, by the keys of Elijah, is sealed in heaven; and this is the power of Elijah, and this is the difference between the Spirit and power of Elias and Elijah; for while the Spirit of Elias is a forerunner, the power of Elijah is sufficient to make our calling and election sure; (Teachings, p. 338.)
The Spirit of Elias if first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the Spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priest-Hood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple (“Know ye not the YE ARE the Temple of God?), which is last of all. (Teachings 340.)
Teachings, p. 346-347. Here, then is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priest to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in Glory, as do those who sit enthroned in Everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me.
...They shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a God, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before. What did Jesus do: Why; I do the things I say my Father do when worlds came rolling into existence. My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom and it will exalt him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place thereby become exalted myself.
So that Jesus treads in the tracks of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children. It is plain beyond disputation, and you thus learn some of the first principles of the Gospel, about which so much hath been said.
When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel--you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn (RE-CEIVE?) our salvation and exaltation, (for some) even beyond the grave. I suppose I am not allowed to go into an investigation of anything that is not contained in the Bible. If I do, I think there are so many over-wise men here, that they would cry "treason" and put me to death. So I will go to the old Bible and turn commentator today. (Teachings, p. 347-348.)
It was written in the law of the Lord on high, that they that overcome by obedience, should be made kings and queens, and priests and priestesses to God and his Father, through the At-One-ment of the Son, and that natural eyes should not see, nor natural ears hear, neither should the natural heart conceive the great glorious, and eternal things, honors and blessings, that were then, in the Father's dominions, and mansions, prepared in the beginning for them that kept the faith to the end, and entered triumphantly into their third estates:--the eternal life.
...Perhaps this subject may excite the curiosity of some: as it will lead the mind back among the worlds that have been organized and passed away,--and among the Gods and angels that have attended to execute the laws and decree of one universe after another, from eternity to eternity, from the beginning till now; and, to increase the curiosity of having this present world pass away with a great noise, when there is no place found for it; and of having organized a new heaven and a new earth, wherin dwelleth "righteousness;" and as our fathers cannot be perfect without us, nor we without them; [Speaking all the way back to Adam and from Adam to God and his Father] and as the man is not without the woman neither the woman without the man IN the Lord, perhaps Milauleph and his wife, as king and queen to God, and all the sons and daughters of the "head" will shout for joy, and the morning stars sing together again, at the "third" entrance of Idumia and sanctified millions!--Who Knows? ( Joseph's Speckled Bird., Times and Seasons 6:917-918) picture of Orson Hydes, God and His Father] (This verifies again that man and woman must be One in Lord together to RE-Ceive these Gifts and blessings)
The Church of the Firstborn
Alma 34:32-36) 32. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God [The Fullness of the Priest-Hood, Spirit, Light; kings and priests, not by proxie......]; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. [Symbolic Ordainances, baptisims, washings, anointings, marriage and the Fullness of the Priest-Hood all that can be given to men on earth...]
33. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, 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 [Ordainances, baptisims, washings, anointings, marriage and the Fullness of the Priest-Hood all that can be given to men on earth...], 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.
34. 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. [Your are caught in prison, and as Orson Hyde says in a previous article you must be made a king and priest on this earth or someone must do it for you at their own pleasure and whim and pleasure.]
35, For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the Spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. [So the devil has us and we cannot overcome death his last great hold on us until these ordainances are performed for us.]
36. And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.
My beloved brethren: My feelings are to bless those, both young and old, who are magnifying their callings in the Priest-Hood, and to ask the Lord to pour out upon them the good things of “His Spirit” (Spirit of Christ See D&C 84) in this life and assure them the riches of eternity in the life to come.
With all my heart I say to those who are keeping the commandments, who are serving faithfully in the Church, and who are working for the good and betterment of mankind generally, with all my heart I say: the Lord bless you; and you may rest assured that if you continue in the paths of truth and righteousness, He will welcome you into His eternal kingdom and give you an inheritance with the prophets and saints of all ages.
What a glorious thing it is to know that the Lord has offered to each of us the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, and has promised us that if we will Re-Ceive this Priest-Hood and magnify our callings, we shall gain an Everlasting inheritance with him in his kingdom!
This Priest-Hood which we have Re-Ceived is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth to act in all things for the salvation of men. It has come to us in this day through the ministry of heavenly messengers sent to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
When Moroni came to Joseph Smith in September 1823, he quoted to him these words which the Lord had given to Malachi: "Behold, I will Re-Veal unto you the Priest-Hood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (D&C 2:1) [Ed. Note: This is interesting, the whole and complete mission of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Authority and the Church of Jesus Christ was the Capstone of the Temple Elijah to prepare us for the Messiah.... Also note that Elijah returns to Re-Veal the Fullness of Priesthood, that it cannot be given by earthly fathers or mothers, nor any man, but OF God alone.]
To prepare the way for the coming of Elijah and the restoration of the sealing power, because of which men may Re-Ceive the Fullness of the Priest-Hood, John the Baptist came in May of 1829 and conferred upon Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priest-Hood.
Then on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, Elijah the prophet returned and bestowed upon them the sealing power, the power to use the Priest-Hood to bind on earth and seal in heaven.
Then in 1841 the Lord revealed to the Prophet that "the fullness of the Priest-Hood" was available to men only in the temple, in "a house" built to His NAME”. (He had said in D&C 124 in 1838: Vs. 28 “For there is not a place found on earth that He may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which He hath taken away, even the Fullness of the Priest-hood.”)
(See D&C 124.) (Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 244.).
I think we all know that the blessings of the Priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings (and Powers of Heaven) are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and upon all the faithful women of the Church (of the Firstborn). The Lord offers to his daughters every Spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Era, June 1970, p. 65-66.)
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