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Chapter Five
THE INSTITUTION OF
LAW
The institution of law brought two opposing situations: sin
versus righteousness; misery versus happiness, etc.
etc.:
2 Ne. 2:11 "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 . Wherefore, all
things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it
should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no
life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption,
happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a
thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose
in the end of its creati on. Wherefore, this thing
must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal
purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice
of God.
13 AND IF YE SHALL SAY THERE IS NO LAW, YE SHALL ALSO SAY
THERE IS NO SIN. IF YE SHALL SAY THERE IS NO SIN, YE SHALL
ALSO SAY THERE IS NO RIGHTEOUSNESS. And if there be no
righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no
righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor
misery. And IF THESE THINGS ARE NOT THERE IS NO
GOD .
14 .......I speak unto you these things for your profit and
learning; for there is a God, and
he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth,
and all things that in them are, both things to act
and things to be acted upon .
....................
16 Wherefore. the Lord God gave unto man
that he should act for himself. Wherefore. MAN COULD NOT ACT
FOR HIMSELF SAVE IT SHOULD BE THAT HE WAS ENTICED BY THE ONE
OR THE OTHER." (Eph. 6:11-18)
We have learned that without opposition, free agency and the
opportunity presented whereby a choice is necessary NOTHING
HAPPENS - NO EXPERIENCE, NO PROGRESSION, and NO PURPOSE IN
THE CREATION FOR WITHOUT THE ABILITY FOR SPIRITS TO
EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE GOD HE HAS NO KINGDOM
. IT IS THROUGH OUR GAINING ETERNAL LIFE THAT HE IS
GLORIFIED:
Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work AND MY
GLORY - to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man."
Teachings, Page 291 "John learned that GOD GLORIFIED HIMSELF
BY SAVING ALL THAT HIS HANDS HAD MADE, whether beasts,
fowls, fishes or men; and He will glorify Himself with them.
" (John 17:24)
Therefore, it was necessary that we be placed in an
environment where, through free agency, we had the choice
for good or evil and the ability to be tempted along with
the ability to resist the temptation. We needed two opposing
personalities for the plan to be effective - "strength"
versus "weakness." We had already received the Divine
characteristics which gave us the ability to resist, but
what about the opposite characteristics? Certainly lust,
greed, fear, etc. are not part of the personality of a
perfect God. WHERE DO THEY COME
FROM ?
1. The Law of Opposition
The dictionary gives the meaning of
opposition as "The act or condition of opposing or
of being in conflict. "
In the following scripture, note that the FORBIDDEN
FRUIT is IN OPPOSITION to the TREE OF
LIFE:
2 Ne. 2:15 "And to bring about his eternal purposes in the
end of man....it must needs be that there was an
opposition: even the FORBIDDEN FRUIT in opposition to the
TREE OF LIFE ;" (Gen. 2:16 & 17; 3:2 & 3, 2
Cor. 6:14)
Let us first consider the Tree of Life. Was it actually a
tree?
God uses symbols to represent the meaning of things as
follows:
1 Ne. 11:25 "....and I also beheld that the tree of life was
a REPRESENTATION of the love of God. "
(John 15: 1 )
Now if the Tree of Life is symbolic of the Father's love
what could it be symbolic of? In the spiritual creation we
were given the "image and likeness" of the Father and Son.
Since God is a personage of spirit and WE BEING
CO-EQUAL3
with God in this status as spirit, "image" meant
something other than "form." Therefore, as has already been
stated, through his love He clothed the immortal spirit in
the divine characteristics of the Father and Son. However,
after "the fall," that part of the endowment which was
"after the image and likeness" of the Father (the Tree of
Life) was taken away or remained in heaven and this was
known as the "spiritual death" as that which is flesh can
not endure the presence of the Father. The cord on the
temple robe that is attached to the crown is our connection
to that which is in heaven and the "image and likeness" of
the Son remained:
D & C 93:2 ".... (Christ speaking) I am the true light
that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;" (John
1:1-9, D & C 88:50)
That which was "AFTER THE ORDER OF THE SON"
is:
D & C 107:3 "Before his day (Melchizedek) it was called
the Holy Priesthood, AFTER THE ORDER OF THE SON OF
GOD . "
This Divine power was part of the "image and likness" given
in the spiritual creation:
Words of JS, Page 8 "The priesthood was first given to
Adam:........he obtained it IN THE
CREATION before the world was
formed...."3
3Words of JS, Page 346 " man
exhisted in spirit & mind COEOUAL with God himself,
"
The temple garment that Both Male
and Female are instructed to always wear is the
reminder of this endowment which is a positive and
protective strength and, therefore, a safeguard against the
adversary.
If the Tree of Life is a
representation of something else then
wouldn't it stand to reason that the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil is also a representation of something
else?
The dictionary informs us that the symbolic figure
of a tree is "A diagram showing a family lineage"
which is consistent with the following:
Jacob 5:3 "For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will
liken thee. O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, like unto a tame
olive-tree ,...."
Is not the lineage here represented by a tree?
Since the Tree of Life represents the spiritual
characteristics from the Father wouldn't the Tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil represent characteristics from a
lineage and the forbidden FRUIT represent
an individual or individuals from that particular lineage?
Quite often the term "fruit" is used in scripture in
reference to one's offspring. (2 Ne. 3:4, Deut. 7:13; 28:4,
Psalm 127:3)
The following scripture informs us that the SPIRITUAL
ENDOWMENT is in opposition to the INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS
FROM THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT:
2 Ne. 2:15 "....it must needs be that
there was an OPPOSITION; even the FORBIDDEN FRUIT in
opposition to the TREE OF LIFE ; . . "
Therefore, two lineages - one in opposition to the other -
were created:
Ro. 9:20 "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against
God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why
hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the
clay. of the same lump to make one vessel
unto honour, and
another unto dishonour
?"4
4ALL lineages will, under the Plan
of Salvation, eventually receive the spiritual endowment and
exaltation. Where the spirit (intelligence) is concerned,
there is no such thing as "superior" or "inferior" - just
different levels of spiritual advancement:
Gal. 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus." (Hel. 3:28, Ro. 2:11; 10:12, Acts
10:34 & 35)
The vessels of honour (lineage through Isaac) were
endowed with the heavenly birthright:
RB, Ro. 9:4 "Who are Israelites; .......
.............
6........For THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL
WHICH ARE OF ISRAEL:
7 Neither. because they are all children of Abraham.
are they the seed but. IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE
CALLED.
8 That is! They which are the CHILDREN OF
THE FLESH, these are not the children of God: but the
CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE are counted for the seed.
9 For THIS IS THE WORD OF PROMISE. At this
time will I come. and SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."
God uses the lineages who are still opposed to his Plan of
Salvation (dishonorable) to show his power and glory. For
instance, if the Israelites were not in bondage to a
merciless people like the Egyptians would they have looked
to God for deliverance? And weren't both lineages witnesses
to this great act of mercy?
RB, Ro. 9:17 "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up. that I
might shew my power in thee , and THAT MY NAME
MIGHT BE DECLARED THROUGHOUT ALL THE EARTH.
And because the opposing lineage was necessary to show God's
power they were preserved after the flood:
Abraham 1:21 "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.
22 From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus
the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the
land ."
Now, if the Israelites represent the children of God and the
Canaanites represent the opposition where did this lineage
originally come from?
Since Adam was the first flesh on the earth and was given
dominion over all other creation at the time (RB, Gen. 2:25
& 26) could it be possible that he oversaw the
evolutionary process of a species that would be in
opposition to the Adamic lineage? This appears to be the
case, for the Book of Genesis refers, after the fall, to two
separate seeds or lineages on the earth - the serpent's SEED
and Eve's SEED and the hatred (opposition) that would exist
between them. THIS IS THE FIRST REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO A
LINEAGE ON THE EARTH OTHER THAN THAT EVOLVING FROM ADAM AND
EVE:
RB, Gen. 3:20 "And I. the Lord God said
unto the serpent,....
21 ....I will put enmity between thee and
the woman, between THY SEED and HER SEED: and he shall
bruise thy head. and thou shalt bruise his heel
."
Doesn't the foregoing bridge the gulf between religion and
science on the creation? There is much evidence in the
scriptures that informs us that man came from a higher
source but also evidence that he evolved from a lower source
which should give authenticity to the volumes of evidence
and physical proof in the scientific area that informs us
that physical man evolved from a lower creation and that the
earth is mu ch older then
that which is recorded in the wholy writ
5
5 It was taught in Joseph
Smith's day that Adam was not the first man upon the earth.
Joseph Smith quotes his brother Hyrum as saying the
following:
Millennial Star, Vol. 23, Page 406 "There were Prophets
before Adam. And Joseph has the spirit and power of all the
Prophets."
Also: Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, Page 79
"The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so
as it was before the days of Noah
In the temple the baptismal font is held up by twelve
OXEN . Isn't this in similitude of overcoming the
ANIMAL instincts? And what are the animal instincts?
Let us consider the male animal. Isn't he the dominant
member of both sexes and AFTER THE FALL, which made man
carnal, sensual and devilish, doesn't the scripture state
that "the man shall rule over the woman " (Gen. 3:16)
in comparison with the situation before the fall where
there was complete equality (RB, Gen. 2:28 - 30)? And
until the past few hundred years haven't women been
considered as being only useful in the kitchen and bedroom
under male dominance? Women were not taught to read and
write before it was made mandatory in our Constitution
through the persistence of Abigail Adams, wife of John
Adams. The Urantia Book states that Jesus, the Christ,
taught his sisters to read and write, there being no other
means for them to be taught. And Paul, in his letter to the
Corinthians informed them as follows: "Let your women
keep
silence in the churches: And if they will learn anything,
let them ask their husbands at home:" (1 Cor. 14:34 &
35) The Urantia Book also states that women are monogomous
by nature and males polygamous. Also, the sex drive seems to
have made its appearance after the fall for the scripture
states to the woman "thy desire shall be to thy
husband" (Gen. 3:16) which informs us that she is satisfied
with one husband which is consistent with the animal
kingdom, for the female is almost always part of a harem
under the dominance of one male who will risk his life to
keep that which he considers is his. If you are in doubt
about the male animal's sexual appetite one must
become acquainted with Jacques Cousteau's nature films.
Therefore, isn't it a fact that the NATURAL MAN has a
problem with being satisfied with a monogomus situation. If
the natural man's behavior is in the likeness of the animal
where else could these carnal and sensual instincts come
from but a lineage that evolved from that creation?
As we continue the study we find that the fall of Adam and
Eve was one of transgression serious enough to bring about
tremendous consequences:
2 Ne. 9:6 " and the fall came by reason of
TRANSGRESSION ;"
And the punishment introduced death upon the scene - both
spiritual and temporal:
Alma 42:9 "......the fall had brought upon all mankind a
spiritual death as well as a temporal , that is, they
were cut off from the presence of the Lord, ......
10 .... THEY HAD BECOME CARNAL, SENSUAL, AND DEVILISH BY
NATURE,.... "
What a staggering change of events! Can we believe that all
this came about from just eating an apple or whatever?
Shouldn't the punishment fit the crime and, at this point,
wouldn't you say we are close to identifying the crime since
the characteristics "carnal. sensual and devilish " must be
something we come by through "GENES" and not apples and
isn't death also something we inherit through the flesh? And
since these are inherent qualities wouldn't there have had
to have been some kind of transaction between the seed of
Adam (EVE)and the seed of Satan that brought these qualities
upon the human race?
6
Therefore, before the carnal
characteristics became a part of mankind could Adam and Eve
have given birth to a son as wayward as Cain? Doesn't the
scripture say that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit
(St. Matt. 7:18)? Nevertheless, after the fall, where the
characteristics of both good and evil were an inherent
factor in all, it was possible for
children from both lineages to come to the same
parents.
7
And the Fall brought about the SPIRITUAL death -
being "SHUT OUT OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD "
(image and likeness of the Father or the Tree of Life) that
was taken from us leaving us with the following:
JSBHW, Vol. l l, L on F, Section II, Page 15 & 16, Para.
19 "....though man did transgress, his transgression
did not deprive him of the previous knowledge WITH WHICH HE
WAS ENDOWED. relative to the existence and glory of his
CREATOR ; for no sooner did he hear his voice than
he sought to hide himself from his
presence." 8
If we had been left completely without
the spiritual characteristics there would have been no
counterbalance, for we WOULD NOT have had the ability to
make a comparison and resist that which we had inherited
through the fall. We must have BOTH characteristics for us
to be taught - the ability to resist along
with the ability to be tempted. And both characteristics are
there
at war with each other. The spiritual characteristics WITHIN
can never be in harmony with the earthly
characteristics. 9
Harmony comes only when one abandons that
which is of the world:
6 It is written in The Ura ntia Book, Page 839
that Eve cohabitated with an inferior lineage on earth.
7 Gen. 25:23 "And the Lord said unto her
(Rebekah), Two nations are in thy womb, and TWO MANNER
OFPEOPLE SHALL BE SEPARATED FROM THY BOWELS; "
8 And with the knowledge they retained of the
spiritual and the new knowledge of the physical they could
make a comparison for before the fall their reaction
was:
Gen. 2:31 "....and they were both naked, the man and his
wife, and were not ashamed."
Were not ashamed of what? Could the answer be their physical
endowment, for after the fall we read the following:
RB, Gen. 3:15 "And I, the Lord God, called unto Adam, and
said unto him, Where goest thou? And he said, I heard thy
voice, in the garden, and I was afraid, because I beheld
that I was naked, and I hid myself.
16 And 1, the Lord God, said unto Adam,
>WHO TOLD THEE THAT THOU WAS
NAKED? Hast thou eaten of the tree
whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat, "
Doesn't the foregoing underlined statement inform one that
the scripture is not talking about physical wearing apparel
but Adam's ability to make a comparison for
SURELY ADAM WOULD HAVE KNOWN BEFORE AND EVEN AFTER
THE FALL IF HE WERE NAKED but would
have been unable to comprehend the difference between the
spiritual and the physical endowments until he had received
knowledge.
9 Mosiah 3:19 "For the natural man is an enemy to
God. and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, for
ever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy
Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint
through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a
child,...."
RB, l John 2:15 "Love not the world,
neither the things that are of the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 FOR ALL IN THE WORLD THAT IS OF THE
LUSTS OF THE FLESH, AN D THE LUST OF THE
EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE. IS NOT OF THE FATHER, BUT IS OF
THE WORLD.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever."
When we accomplish this we can dwell in God's presence or,
in other words, we will receive again His presence
IN US and will, therefore, be ONE WITH HIM. Christ
set the example for becoming ONE with the Father as
follows:
D & C 93:1 "....every soul who
forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth
on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my
commandments, shall see my face and know that I
am;
......... ...........
3 And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me,
and the Father and I are one -" (John 14:10 & 1
1)
Note the term "FORSAKETH" in Verse 1 which means to lose
interest in or abandon. Thus,
when we forsake the EGO, we will become "ONE" with that part
WITHIN US which is Divine
and also receive again the fullness - OUR
COMPLETE TRUE IDENTITY - OUR GOD-SELF.
With the two personalities - the Divine and the Earthly -
and Free Agency, we are offered
the potential for either good (through the influence of the
Ministering of Angels) or evil (through the efforts of the
Fallen Angels).
2. The Fallen Angels and the Ministering of
Angels
The Ministering of Angels comes under the Aaronic Priesthood
(See D & C 84:26).
And they administer to those in the Telestial Kingdom who
can not bear God's presence:
D & C 76:88 " ...the telestial receive
it of the administering of angels who are appointed to
minister for them , or who are appointed to be
ministering spirits for them; for they SHALL BE heirs of
salvation."
Their ministry is:
Moroni 7:31 " And the office of their ministry is to
call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work
of the COVENANTS of the Father, which he hath made unto the
children of men to prepare the way among the children of
men. by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels
of the Lord! that they may bear testimony of
him.
32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the
residue of men may have faith in Christ, THAT THE HOLY GHOST
MAY HAVE PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS, according to the power
thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the
Father. the COVENANTS which he hath made unto the children
of men ."
And they promote faith (Moroni 7:25) for it is through faith
that the ministering of angels is effective (Moroni
7:37).
Now for the opposition - the fallen angels
:
RB, Gen. 3:4 "Wherefore, because that SATAN rebelled against
me, and SOUGHT TO
DESTROY THE AGENCY OF MAN, which I, the Lord God had given
him;......I caused that
he should be cast down; and he became Satan.
5 Yea, even the devil. the father of all
lies. to deceive! and to blind men, and to lead them captive
at his will! even as many as would not hearken unto my
voice ."
In the temple we are informed that they have power in the
Telestial world and this is verified by the following:
RB, Ex. 7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and
they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down
his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it
became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers:
NOW THE MAGICIANS OF EGYPT. THEY ALSO DID IN LIKE
MANNER WITH THEIR ENCHANTMENTS .
12 For they cast down every man his rod! and they
became serpents : but Aaron's rod swallowed up
their rods."
Words of JS, Page 117 "The devil has great power - he will
so transform things as to make one gape at
those who are doing the will of God - "
And they have great knowledge:
Words of JS, Page 113 & 114 "A man is 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 & CONSEQUENTLY MORE POWER THAN MANY MEN WHO
ARE ON THE EARTH. "
These spirits who had become evil were at one time
spiritually advanced, hence their great knowledge; but
through disobedience, somewhere along the way, had fallen
from grace. Section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants makes
known three grand keys by which the correct nature of
ministering angels and spirits may be distinguished.
And whenever truth is restored to the earth the devil, in
opposition, is there to deceive:
Words of JS, Page 367 "...... false
prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets, and they
will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive
almost the very chosen ones........THE DEVIL ALWAYS SETS UP
HIS KINGDOM AT THE VERY SAME TIME IN OPPOSITION TO
GOD , "
Teachings, Page 213 "The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints has also had its false spirits;
and AS IT IS MADE UP OF ALL THOSE DIFFERENT SECTS PROFESSING
EVERY VARIETY OF OPINION, AND HAVING BEEN UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF SO MANY KINDS OF SPIRITS, IT IS NOT TO BE
WONDERED AT IF THERE WOULD BE FOUND AMONG US FALSE
SPIRITS.
Soon after the Gospel was established in Kirtland, and
during the absence of the authorities of the Church, many
false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were
seen, and wild, enthusiastic notions were entertained;"
Words of JS, Page 12 "Lying Spirits are going forth in the
Earth. There will be great manifestation of Spirit
BOTH FALSE & TRUE . "
Jude 1:6 "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.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in
like manner, GIVING THEMSELVES OVER TO FORNICATION,
AND GOING AFTER STRANGE FLESH , are set forth for
an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (See 1
Chron. 20:6, Deut.2:20-21; 3:11, Nu. 13:32-33, Moses
7:15)
Josephus, Chapter III, Page 32 1. " FOR MANY ANGELS OF GOD
COMPANIED
WITH WOMEN, AND BEGAT SONS that proved unjust........that
these men did what
resembled the acts of those whom the Grecians call
GIANTS ." (David slew one of them - 1
Sam. Ch. 17).
Enoch, Page 42 & 43, XV. 3. "Wherefore have ye left the
high, holy, and eternal heaven, and lain with
women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of
men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the
children of earth, and begotten giants (as
your) sons.
4. And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal
life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women,
and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and,
as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as
those (also) do who die and perish."
Page 43. 6. "But you were (formerly) spiritual, living the
eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the
world.
7. And therefore I HAVE NOT APPOINTED WIVES FOR
YOU ; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven,
in heaven is their dwelling.
8. And now, THE GIANTS. WHO ARE PRODUCED FROM THE
SPIRITS AND FLESH , shall be called evil spirits
upon the earth, and on the earth shall be their
dwelling...............
11. And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy,
attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and
cause trouble:"
Satan also has his bounds:
Words of JS, Page 72 "He (Joseph Smith) then observed that
satan was generally blamed for the evils which we did, but
if he was the cause of all our wickedness, men could not be
condemned. The devil cannot compel mankind to evil,
all was voluntary .- THOSE WHO RESIST THE SPIRIT OF
GOD, ARE LIABLE TO BE LED INTO TEMPTATION, AND THEN THE
ASSOCIATION OF HEAVEN IS WITHDRAWN FROM THOSE WHO REFUSE TO
BE MADE PARTAKERS OF SUCH GREAT GLORY - God would
not exert any compulsory means and the Devil COULD
NOT ; and such ideas as were entertained by many
were absurd."
There are three levels of law:
3. Telestial. Terrestrial and Celestial
Law
D & C 88:36 "All kingdoms have a law given;
...........
38 ......and UNTO EVERY LAW THERE ARE CERTAIN BOUNDS ALSO
AND
CONDITIONS.
39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not
justified."
We become enlightened about those who hold power under the
different levels of law as we begin with one of Joseph
Smith's addresses:
Words of JS, Page 327, 10 March 1844 "A large assembly of
the Saints met at the temple & was addressed by
President Smith upon one of the most important &
interesting subject ever presented to the saints & the
principles presented were of the greatest importance to be
understood it was as follows the work & calling &
spirit of ELIAS, ELIJAH, & MESIAH ."
The highest power is that of the MESSIAH
:
Words of JS, Page 331 & 332 "... MESIAH IS ABOVE
THE SPIRIT & POWER OF ELIJAH, for he made the
world & was that spiritual rock unto Moses in the
wilderness. Elijah was to come & prepare the way &
build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of
the Lord Although the spirit of Elias might begin it,....
"
And the power of Elijah is:
Words of JS, Page 329 ".... the spirit power & calling
of Elijah is that ye have power to hold the keys of the
revelations ordinances, oricles powers & endowments of
the FULNESS OF THE MELCHEZEDEK PRIESTHOOD .
"
Since the power of Messiah is above that of Elijah it is
greater and above that of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Page 335 ".... Promised to treat upon the Spirit of Messiah
some future time"
I have found no further explanation in any of the records of
the Prophets discourses on the power of Messiah which was
given on the 10th day of March 1844, three months before he
was martyred. In the Temple the power of Elias (Aaronic
Priesthood) is given in the World Room representing the
Telestial Kingdom, the power of Elijah (Melchizedek
Priesthood) is given in the Terrestrial Room and nothing is
given in the Celestial Room. I know of no power higher than
the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Church today. However, the
PRIESTHOOD OF MESSIAH, THAT PRIESTHOOD THAT IS HIGHER THAN
MELCHIZEDEK, JOSEPH SMITH HAD A KNOWLEDGE OF OR HE WOULD NOT
HAVE MENTIONED IT.
On the date of Sept 28, 1843 :
Diaries, Page 416 "At 7 eve met at the Mansions's upper room
front with WL (William Law) WM (William Marks).
Beurach Ale (Joseph Smith) was by common consent and
unanimous voice chosen President of the quorum and anointed
and ord to the highest and holiest order of the priesthood
(AND COMPANION) .
The foregoing anointing and ordination to the
highest order of the priesthood given Joseph AND
EMMA TOOK PLACE LONG BEFORE THE REFERENCE TO THE
SPIRIT AND POWER OF MESSIAH, so the highest and holiest
order of the priesthood referred to here must have been the
Melchizedek as was the same given to Hiram and his
wife :
Diaries, Page 418 " Sunday, Oct 8 1843
.......Conference A.M..........Prayer Meeting at
Jos eph's. Quorum present
HIRAM AND HIS WIFE WERE BLESSED, ORD, AND
ANOINTED. "
Joseph Smith informed the WOMEN
that they were to be ANOINTED AND ORDAINED TO THE
PRIESTHOOD:
Words of JS, Page 114, Nauvoo Relief Society
Minutes (28 April 1842) "President Smith arose and
said that the purport of his being present on the occasion
was, to MAKE OBSERVATIONS RESPECTING THE PRIESTHOOD
, and give instructions for the benefit of the Society
...
Page 115 ... Prest. Smith continued the subject of
adverting to the commission
given to the ancient apostles "Go ye into all the world"
&C. No matter who believeth: these signs such as
healing the sick, casting out devils &C. should follow
all that believe WHETHER MALE OR FEMALE. HE ASK'D THE
SOCIETY I F THEY COULD NOT SEE BY THIS
SWEEPING STROKE THAT WHEREIN THEY ARE ORDAINED! IT IS THE
PRIVILEGE OF THOSE SET APART TO ADMINISTER IN THAT AUTHORITY
WHICH IS CONFRR'D ON THEM - and if the sisters should have
faith to heal the sick! let all hold their tongues, and let
every thing roll on.
He said if God has appointed him! and
chosen him as an instrument to lead the church! why not let
him lead it through? WHY STAND IN THE WAY! WHEN HE IS
APPOINTED TO DO A THING? WHO KNOWS THE MIND OF GOD? DOES HE
NOT REVEAL THINGS DIFFERENTLY FROM WHAT WE EXPECT?
..............
Page 116 Respecting the FEMALES laying on hands, he further
remark'd there could be no devil in it if God gave his
sanction by healing - that there could be no more sin in any
FEMALE laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face
with water IT IS NO SIN FOR ANY BODY TO DO IT THAT HAS
FAITH, or if the sick has faith to be heal'd by the
administration.
He reproved those that were dispos'd to find fault
with the management of concerns - saying that IF HE
UNDERTOOK TO LEAD THE CHURCH HE WOULD LEAD IT RIGHT - THAT
HE CALCULATS TO ORGANIZE THE CHURCH IN PROPER ORDER
&C.
President smith continued by speaking of the difficulties he
had to surmount even since the commencement of the work in
consequence of aspiring men, "great big Elders" as he called
them who had caused him much trouble, ............He said as
he had this opportunity, he was going to instruct the
Society and point out the way for them to conduct, that they
might act according to the will of God - that he did not
know as he should have many opportunities of teaching them -
that they were going to be left to themselves - they would
not long have him to instruct them - that the church would
not have his instruction long, and the world would not be
troubled with him a great while, and would not have his
teachings - He spoke of DELIVERING THE KEYS TO THIS
SOCIETY and TO THE CHURCH - that according to his prayers
God had appointed him elsewhere"
That which is bolded last WAS LATER CHANGED
as follows:
Words of JS, Page 141, Footnote 12 "George A. Smith felt
justified in amplifying this text as follows:" (THE BOLDED
WORDS IN THE FOLLOWING ARE THE AMPLIFICATIONS):
"He spoke of delivering the keys of the
Priesthood to the Church and said that the faithful
members of the Relief Society should receive them in
connection with their husbands, that the Saints whose
integrity has been tried and proved faithful, might know how
to ask the Lord and receive an answer; for
according to his prayers, God had appointed him elsewhere"
(History of C 4:604).
Again from the original text (Words of JS, Pages 116 &
117): "He exhorted the sisters always to concentrate their
faith and prayers for, and place confidence in those whom
God has appointed to honor, whom God has plac'd at the head
to lead - that we should arm them with our prayers -
THAT THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM ARE ABOUT TO BE GIVEN
TO THEM. that they may be able to detect every thing false -
AS WELL AS TO THE ELDERS He said if one member become
corrupt and you know it: you must immediately put it
away . The sympathies of the heads of the church
have induc'd them to bear with those that were corrupt in
consequence of which all become contaminated - you must put
down iniquity and by your good example provoke the Elders to
good works - if you do right no danger of going too fast; he
said he did not care how fast we run in the path of virtue.
Resist evil and there is no danger..............
FEMALES. if they are pure and innocent can come into
the presence of God
,10 for what is more pleasing
to God than innocence; you must be innocent or you cannot
come up before God
10 Women must
have the Melchizedek Priesthood to see the face of God (D
& C 84:19 - 22)
........ .
Page 118 This Society is to get instruction through the
order which God has established thro' the medium of those
appointed to lead - and I NOW TURN THE KEY TO YOU IN THE
NAME OF GOD and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and
intelligence shall flow down from this time - this is the
beginning of better days to this Society."
That in capital letters above was changed to the
following:
Words of JS, Page 142, Footnote 18. The term "I NOW TURN THE
KEY TO YOU IN THE NAME OF GOD" was changed
to "I now turn the key IN YOUR BEHALF ,"
(History of C, 4:607).
Original text, Page 119 "Prest. S. then
offered instruction respecting the propriety of females
administering to the sick by the laying on of hands - SAID
IT WAS ACCORDING TO REVELATION - &C . SAID HE
NEVER WAS PLACED IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND NEVER HAD
GIVEN THE SAME INSTRUCTION .......The spirit of the Lord was
pour'd out in a very powerful manner, never to be forgotten
by those present on that interesting occasion. "
Giving the priesthood power to
woman was a NEW experience for the Prophet. Note
also the foregoing underlined for this, even though
according to revelation from God , has also
been changed as follows:
Words of JS, Page 142 Footnote 21
. The changes will be in bold: "President Smith then gave
(offered) instruction respecting the propriety of females
administering to the sick by the prayer of faith, the laying
on of hands, or the anointing of oil ; and
said it was according to revelation that the sick
should be nursed with herbs and mild food, and not by the
hand of an enemy. Who are better qualified to administer
than our faithful and zealous sisters! whose hearts are full
of faith, tenderness. sympathy and compassion. No
one ."
The summary of the foregoing is, that through a few great
strokes of that great invention the pen - information
WHICH CAME BY REVELATION to the Prophet ON
WOMEN HOLDING THE PRIESTHOOD BY THEMSELVES WAS REJECTED BY
JOSEPH SMITH'S SUCCESSORS.
Continuing with the comparison of the two priesthoods:
D & C 107:1 "There are, in the church, two priesthoods,
namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical
Priesthood."
The Melchizedek Priesthood includes the
Patriarchal authority (Teachings, Page 323)
which holds the right to bestow on their posterity blessings
and predictions (D & C 107:40-56 and Teachings, Pages
38-41) and also the right of Presidency (which will be
covered in another chapter).
The Melchizedek Priesthood is after the order of the
Christ (D & C 107:2-4) and is, therefore, HIS
LAW while the Aaronic Priesthood is named for mortal man and
is after the order of man and other than
the name "Aaronic" it has also been known as the PRIESTHOOD
OF ELIAS:
Teachings, Page 335 "The SPIRIT OF ELIAS is to prepare the
way for a greater revelation of God, which is THE
PRIESTHOOD OF ELIAS , or THE PRIESTHOOD THAT AARON
WAS ORDAINED UNTO." (Also Words of JS, Page 328)
Because the Aaronic Priesthood is after the order of
man the ordinances are OUTWARD
which means: Dictionary: "Pertaining to the physical self,
as distinguished from the mind or spirit," where, under the
Melchizedek Priesthood one receives the keys of power and
blessings from God:
Teachings, Page 322, " What was the power of Melchizedek?
'Twas not the Priesthood
of Aaron which administers in OUTWARD ORDINANCES, and the
offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fulness of the
MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD are kings and priests of the Most
High God, holding the KEYS OF POWER AND BLESSINGS." (Also
Words of JS, Page 244, D & C 107:18 and D &
C 84:64-71, Heb. 7:11-19)
While blessings are under the Melchizedek, judgments and
destructions are under the Aaronic:
Teachings, Page 322 "The law was given under Aaron for the
purpose of pouring out judgments and
destructions." (Also Words of JS, Page 244)
The bishopric is the presidency to sit in judgment upon
transgressors (D & C 107:72).
Destructions under the Aaronic Law inform us that those who
hold the Aaronic Priesthood HAVE POWER OVER THE
ELEMENTS OF THE EARTH :
Ex. 7: 19:22 "And the Lord spake unto AiIoses, SAY UNTO
AARON, Take thy ROD, and stretch out thine hand upon the
waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and
upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that
they may become blood; and that there may be blood
throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood,
and in vessels of stone." (Ex. 9:22-24, James 5: 17 &
18)
Since the Melchizedek Priesthood is from God it is eternal
(Teachings, Page 323 and Words of JS, Page 244) but the
Aaronic is temporal and will be taken from the earth when
the sons of Levi offer an offering in righteousness (D &
C 13:1).
Through the Melchizedek one can enjoy the presence of the
Father and Son (D & C 107:18 & 19). Under the
Aaronic we are admistered to by angels (D & C
84:26).
Under the Aaronic Priesthood earthly inheritances were given
- anciently (Nu. 26:52 & 53; 2 Ne. l :5; Abraham 2: 19)
and restored again in the last dispensation:
D & C 58: 17 "And whoso standeth in this mission is
appointed to be a judge in Israel, LIKE AS IT WAS IN
ANCIENT DAYS. TO DIVIDE THE LANDS OF THE HERITAGE OF GODUNTO
HIS CHILDREN;
....................
51 And an epistle and subscription, to be presented unto all
the churches to obtain moneys,
to be put into the hands of the bishop ........to
PURCHASE LANDS FOR AN INHERITANCE FOR THE CHILDREN
OF GOD.
...................
53 Behold, here is wisdom. LET THEM DO THIS LEST
THEY RECEIVE NONE INHERITANCE, .... "
And to be sure that this inheritance would be available they
were further instructed as follows:
D & C 70:7 ".... inasmuch as they receive more
than is needful for their necessities and
their wants. it shall be given into my
storehouse;
8 And the benefits shall be consecrated unto the
inhabitants of Zion. and unto their generations. inasmuch as
they become heirs according to the laws of the kingdom.
9 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.
10 And behold. NONE ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS LAW WHO
BELONG TO THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD;"
Also JSBHW, Vol. 11, Page 92, 1833 Edition of The
Book of Commandments, Verse 26 "If thou lovest me.
thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments; and
behold. THOU SHALT CONSECRATE ALL THY PROPERTIES. THAT WHICH
THOU HAST UNTO ME. with a covenant and a deed which can not
be broken: and they shall be laid before the bishop of my
church. and two of the elders. such as he shall appoint and
set apart for that purpose.
27 And it shall come to pass, that THE BISHOP OF
MY CHURCH, AFTER THAT HE HAS RECEIVED THE PROPERTIES OF MY
CHURCH, THAT IT CAN NOT BE TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH, HE
SHALL APPOINT EVERY MAN A STEWARD OVE R HIS
OWN PROPERTY. OR THAT WHICH HE HAS RECEIVED, INASMUCH AS IS
SUFFICIENT FOR HIMSELF AND FAMILY
:
28 AND THE RESIDUE SHALL BE KEPT TO ADMINISTER TO
HIM WHO HAS NOT. THAT EVERY MAN MAY RECEIVE ACCORDING AS HE
STANDS IN NEED :
29 And the residue shall be kept in my storehouse.
to administer to the poor and needy, .....
Isn't that wonderful! That system would eliminate the
homeless, hungry and needy from the Church AND STATE and set
an example for the whole world to follow. (D & C
42:29-34)
Those holding Melchizedek power can officiate in the Aaronic
(D & C 107:8-10) but the Aaronic is
limited (Teachings, Page 336 and Words of JS, Page 328).
Through the Melchizedek Priesthood we comprehend God (D
& C 84:19-22) which is also
perfect law. Not so with the Aaronic (Teachings, Page 322
and Words of JS, Page 244).
The Levitical Law is under the Aaronic
Priesthood:
History of C, Vol. l, 1902 Ed., Introduction, Page XXX: The
Prophet begins by showing
us the meaning of the scripture Gal. 3: 19: " the law
of carnal commandments was
"added"
to the Gospel, OR GIVEN IN ITS PLACE
to act as a schoolmaster." (Also: History of C,
Vol. 1, 1951 Ed., Introduction, Page XXVIII)
Teachings, Page 60 & 61 " It is said again, in Gal.
iii:19, that the law (of Moses. or the
Levitical law) was "added" because of
transgression . ..........we conclude that whenever
the Lord revealed Himself to men in ancient days, and
commanded them to offer sacrifice to Him,
that it was done that they might look
forward in faith to the time of His coming, and rely upon
the power of that atonement for a remission of their sins.
"
These explanations by Joseph Smith of the same scripture
(Gal. 3:19) gives us the following
information: That the law of carnal
commandments , the law of sacrifice and the
Levitical law
are one and the same and were "added " to
the gospel or "given in its place " because
of transgression. This law then had its beginning being
"added" in consequence of them partalcing of the forbidden
fruit.
As it was with Adam so it continued through the
dispensations of time that TRANSGRESSION WAS THE
PREREQUISITE FOR BRINGING THIS LAW with its accompanying
punishments. Because of transgression Adam was cast out from
God's presence and in later generations the law inherited
the name of Levi (LEVI tical Law) who,
through his transgression, 11
lost his inheritance (Nu. 18:23 and Gen. 49:5-7) among the
children of Israel. And from then on that lineage was in
charge of the CARNAL WORKS under that Priesthood:
Nu. 18:1 "And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons
and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquitv of
the sanctuary; and thou and thy sons with thee SHALL
BEAR THE INIQUITY OF YOUR PRIESTHOOD ."
The Lord has tried from time to time to remove the law of
sacrifice as he did for the children of Israel by revealing
his face to them which would have given them complete
knowledge of the reality of His existence and, therefore, no
more a need to do the carnal works of the law BY FAITH but
they refused (D & C 84:23-27) and because they refused
they were cursed with what became known as the Law of Moses.
And UNDER THIS LAW THE POWER OF THE ATONEMENT WAS
WITHDRAWN. NO ONE COVERED FOR THEIR SINS AND WHEN A LAW WAS
BROKEN THE DEMANDS OF THE LAW OF JUSTICE WERE EXECUTED
WITHOUT MERCY . The scripture explains the law:
The Acts 13:39 "And by him (Christ)
all that believe are justified from all things, FROM
WHICH YE COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES
."
Lev. 24:20 "Breach for breach. eve for eye. tooth
for tooth:....so shall it be done to him again .
"
And by this law we not only comprehend the consequences of
sin without mercy but THE INFERIORITY OF THE WHOLE
TELESTIAL SYSTEM and that IT IS JUSTIFIED ONLY THROUGH THE
ATONEMENT.
11 When Jacob's daughter, Dinah,
was defiled by Shechem, an agreement was made between Jacob
and Hamor, the father of Shechem, that the evil would be
resolved through Hamor's people becoming adopted in as the
seed of Abraham through the covenant of circumcision. Levi
and Simeon, Jacob's sons, not in agreement, slew Hamor and
his people (Gen. Ch. 34) which resulted in their losing
their inheritance among the children of Israel.
This was the way it was carried out:
For ADULTERY both parties were put to death (Lev. 20:10 and
Deut. 22:22).
For FORNICATION, both were stoned (Deut. 22:23-24).
SODOMY - Man, or woman, and beast were put to death (Lev.
20:15 & 16).
The Dictionary gives the meaning of Sodomy as: "1. Anal
copulation of one male with another. 2. Anal or oral
copulation with a member of the opposite sex. 3. Copulation
with an animal. "
HOMOSEXUALITY - (Lev. 20:13) they were put to death.
Now that all the sex offenders have been put to death we are
completely in the clear in
wedlock - right? ..........WRONG!
Copulation: Lev. 15:18 "The woman also with whom man shall
lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe
themselves in water, and be unclean until
the even,"
Where did the system of reproduction come from that rendered
the participants "unclean ?" The scriptures
inform us as follows:
RB, Gen. 3:22 "Unto the woman, I, the Lord God,
said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow, and they
conception: in sorrow thou shalt bring forth
children , ... "
Because of the fall a change came in the reproductive
system. Could this have meant that we took upon ourselves
the animal system of reproduction for do we
do anything different than the cats, dogs, whales, gorillas,
flys, etc. etc. This, then explains why men and women so
involved are declared "unclean" WITHOUT THE JUSTIFICATION OF
THE ATONEMENT and it helps me understand why it has been so
difficult for me to f~nd the right moment and the
appropriate terminology to explain that little ritual to my
children 12
For MENSTRUATION women were declared UNCLEAN (Lev.
15:19-33 and Lev. 18:19). And a SIN OFFERING was required
(Lev. 15:29-33).
Women were declared UNCLEAN after CHILDBIRTH and went
through a PURIFICATION PERIOD until they were declared clean
which also required a sacrificial offering for SIN (RB, Lev.
12:2-8 and Moses 6:55).
The kingdom of heaven tolerated the carnal works of the
Levitical Law and RETAINED the Aaronic Priesthood covenants
until they were restored to John the Baptist:
12 Even if two
of the purest virgins (male and female) were married and the
act of the consumation of that marriage were photographed
for public viewing this material would be classified, even
by the world, as PORNOGRAPHY.
Teachings, Page 319 "... The Kingdom of heaven
suffereth violence, etc.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CONTINUETH IN
AUTHORITY UNTIL JOHN . The authority
taketh it by absolute power.
John (the Baptist! having the power took the Kingdom by
authority." (Also Words of JS, Page 234).
The law of Moses was fulfilled with Chnst's coming. (See 3
Ne. 15:3-8; Teachings, Page 173; Words of JS, Page 44, Ro.
10:4 & 5, Gal. 3:13)
13
13 The Israelites under Moses were
punished with the law of blood atonement (ATONING FOR ONE'S
OWN SINS) because they rejected he who would atone for their
sins (the Savior) at Mt. Sinai. Therefore, THOSE WHO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PRACTICE OF BLOOD ATONEMENT WHILE
PROFESSING TO BELIEVE IN THE ATONEMENT ARE WITHOUT
UNDERSTANDING!
Even though the Law of Moses was fulf~lled with Christ's
coming this did not bring to an end the Livitical Law for
the Law of Sacrifice would be restored again in the
Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. This will be covered
in a later chapter.
The summary of the foregoing is: Our spirits have been given
the characteristics of the heavenly and a tabernacle with
characteristics of the earthly; we have the law of cause and
effect, our free agency, and the fallen angels who inform us
that "the sky is the limit" and the other kind of angels who
tell us not to believe it; and, we have a Savior who will
cover for us under the law if the learning experience is
proving profitable but if the situation is otherwise we have
the law of justice that will execute the punishment. As we
continue on we are presented with the covenants that WE
MADE with the Father and Son which are under the Aaronic
Pnesthood and also the covenants that THEY MADE
with us which are under the Melchizedek Pnesthood before
the world was formed. This comes under the Plan of
Salvation.
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