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Chapter seven
BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD
First, we must make note that baptisms
performed for the dead are useless, the same as for the
living, unless the pattern given in the ordinance (which
brings them salvation) is followed.
D & C 128:16 "And now, in relation to the baptism for
the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1
Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are
baptized for the dead, IF THE DEAD RISE NOT AT ALL
? WHY ARE THEY THEN BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD
?
The answer to the foregoing bolded question must be, "We do
baptize for the dead because they rise." But UNDER WHAT
CONDITION ARE THEY GOING TO RISE?
They CAN NOT be saved in their
sins,31 and they
CAN NOT progress to a more righteous status
in
heaven.32
31 Alma 11:37 "And I say
unto you again that HE (the Savior) CANNOT SAVE THEM IN
THEIR SINS; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said
that no unclean thing can inherit the kin~dom of
heaven;~
32 Alma 34:32 "For behold, THIS LIFE IS THE
TIME FOR MEN TO PREPARE TO MEET GOD; yea, behold the day of
this life is the dav for men to perform their labors.~ (Also
Alma 42:13)
Yet, the purpose of Christ's death and resurrection
is to save all FROM THE SPIRITUAL DEATH which is to
eventually return to the presence of the Father FREE
FROM SIN :
Hela. 14:15 "For behold, HE SURELY MUST DIE THAT SALVATION
MAY COME; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that
he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead,
THAT THEREBY MEN MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE
LORD.
16 Yea, behold, THIS DEATH BRINGETH TO
PASS THE RESURRECTION, AND REDEEMETH ALL MANKIND FROM THE
FIRST DEATH - THAT SPIRITUAL DEATH ; for all
mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence
of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things
temporal and to things spiritual."
THE FOREGOING STATES THAT CHRIST'S DEATH IS TO BRING
SALVATION AND HIS RESURRECTION IS TO REDEEM
MANKIND FROM THE SPIRITUAL DEATH - THE
FIRST DEATH. THEREFORE, HIS RESURRECTION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR
A LITERAL RESURRECTION OF ANY BODY OF SIN LAID IN THE GRAVE
TO BE RESURRECTED INTO A PERMANENT STATE OF DAMNATION ELSE
THERE IS NO REDEMPTION FROM THE FIRST SPIRITUAL DEATH.
D & C 128:12 "HEREIN is glory and honor and
immortality and eternal life - The ordinance of baptism by
water, TO BE IMMERSED THEREIN IN ORDER TO ANSWER TO THE
LIKENESS OF THE DEAD, THAT ONE PRINCIPLE MIGHT ACCORD WITH
THE OTHER; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of
the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead
in coming forth out of their graves; HENCE. THIS ORDINANCE
WAS INSTITUTED TO FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ORDINANCE OF
BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD. BEING IN LIKENESS OF THE DEAD
. "
The foregoing has informed us that GLORY, HONOR, IMMORTALITY
AND ETERNAL LIFE are through the ordinance BAPTISM; that the
PRINCIPLE IN BAPTISM IS THE SAME (IN
ACCORD) WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF THE DEAD COMING FORTH
OUT OF THEIR GRAVES . AND SINCE THE PRINCIPLE IN
BAPTISM IS TO LEAVE BEHIND THAT BODY OF SIN
AND COME FORTH A NEW CREATURE SO IT MUST BE THE SAME FOR THE
DEAD - TO LEAVE BEHIND THAT BODY OF SIN AND COME FORTH A NEW
CREATURE OR, IN OTHER WORDS, TO BE LITERALLY BORN
AGAIN UPON THIS EARTH SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO
PROGRESS THAT THEY CAN BE SAVED FROM THE SPIRITUAL DEATH AND
EVENTUALLY RECEIVE GLORY, HONOR, IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL
LIFE. THUS CHRIST DIED, NOT THAT WE WOULD BE
RESURRECTED INTO A PERMANENT STATE OF DAMNATION, BUT TO
REMOVE THE EN1 MY DEATH (that which the sinful dead had not
yet overcome! THAT THEY WOULD NOT REMAIN DEAD BUT BE ABLE TO
BE BORN AGAIN TO CONTINUE TO SUBDUE THE FLESH AND EVENTUALLY
COME BACK INTO GOD'S PRESENCE or, in other words. HAVE HIS
PRESENCE IN THEM. THIS IS THE RELATIONSHIP THE DEAD HAVE
WITH THE ORDINANCE BAPTISM AND ALSO THE WELDING LINK WE HAVE
WITH THE FATHERS:
D & C 128:18 " THE EARTH WILL BE SMITTEN WITH A CURSE
UNLESS THERE IS A WELDING LINK OF SOME KIND OR OTHER
BETWEEN THE FATHERS AND THE CHILDREN , upon some
subject or other - and behold what is that subject?
IT IS BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD . "
THIS IS AN EARTHLY ORDINANCE THAT MUST BE PERFORMED
ON EARTH BY PROXY FOR THE DEAD that they can be
given the right to accept
it.33 THEREFORE, IF
THE ORDINANCE IS NOT PERFORMED, THAT LINK WHICH WE HAVE WITH
OUR ETERNAL SELF (WHICH LINK IS THE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE
COVENANT BAPTISM TO CONTINUE TO BECOME OUR SPIRITUAL
IDENTITY) WOULD BE BROKEN OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THE PLAN OF
SALVATION WOULD BE DEADLOCKED WHICH WOULD
CAUSE THE EARTH TO BE SMITTEN WITH A CURSE.
33 Teachings,
Page 309, "And Peter says he went and preached to the world
of spirits (spirits in prison, l Peter, 3rd Chap. 19th
Verse), so that THEY WHO WOULD RECEIVE IT could have it
answered by proxy by those who live on the earth, etc."
To summarize the foregoing I will quote the interpretation
the Angel Moroni (in some recordings the Angel is called
Nephi) gave to Joseph Smith (Joseph Smith - History 1:39,
Page 4s)
" ... And he (Elijah) shall plant in the hearts of the
children the PROMISES MADE TO THE FATHER, and the hearts of
the children shall turn to their fathers. IF IT WERE NOT SO,
THE WHOLE EARTH WOULD BE UTTERLY WASTED AT HIS (CHRIST'S)
COMING."
IF WE WERE NOT STIMULATED TO DO BAPTISMS FOR THE DEAD, WHICH
PRESENTS TO THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO OVERCOME THE SPIRITUAL
DEATH, FEW THERE WOULD BE WHO WOULD HAVE BECOME WORTHY TO
RECEIVE THE SAVIOR WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE EARTH.
Paul's letter to the Corinthians gives hope for more than
one lifetime:
1 Cor. 15:19 "IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY we have hope in
Christ~ we are of all men most miserable .
Joseph Smith is consistent:
D & C 93:38 "Every spirit of man was
innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from
the fall, men BECAME AGAIN, in their INFANT STATE, INNOCENT
before God, "
The term "men became AGAIN. in their INFANT STATE,
INNOCENT " informs us that this innocent infant
state happens more than once?
Joseph Smith used the following scripture TO HELP PROVE THE
PURPOSE OF BATISM FOR THE DEAD:
Words of JS, Page 23, Footnote 15: "HEBREWS
11:40 . A year and a half later THIS PASSAGE OF
SCRIPTURE WAS USED AS A PROOF-TEXT FOR THE VALIDITY OF THE
DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD. "
The scripture mentioned is: Heb. 11:40
(RB! "God having provided some better thing for them through
their sufferings, for WITHOUT SUFFERINGS THEY
COULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT".
34
34 ~Words of JS, Page 245 ~....men have
to suffer that thev might come up on Mt. Zion. exalted above
the heavens~
That "better thing" provided for them for their sufferings
is eventually a state of perfection which develops gradually
from continually experiencing the overwhelming examples on
the earth of the natural man's inhumanity to man through the
carnal, sensual and devilish qualities of lust, greed and
ego.
SUFFERING IS THE PERFECT TEACHER:
Heb. 12:9 " ... we have had fathers of our flesh which
corrected us; and we gave them reverence: shall we not much
rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and
live?
10 For they verily for a few days
chastened us after their own pleasure; BUT HE FOR OUR
PROFIT. THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS.
l l Now no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous. but grievous; nevertheless AFTERWARD
IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNT0 THEM
WHICH ARE EXERCISED THEREBY ." (1 Pet. 5:10)
As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those things that hurt,
instruct ."
And when we have hurt or been hurt sufficiently to wonder if
life hasn't something better to offer we begin to nurture a
longing for something above the natural nature which, if
pursued, can awaken within that which is the spiritual.
In the Celestial Kingdom the law is eternal life, but in the
Telestial Kingdom the law is continuous deterioration and
death and until a man can triumph over death there is no
salvation:
Words of JS, Page 205 "salvation is for a man to be saved
from all his enemies.--UNTIL A MAN CAN TRIUMPH OVER
DEATH. HE IS NOT SAVED ....
"35
35 It appears that God always sends us, not
only the pattern, but an example of someone who followed the
~nstructions for Elijah was TAKEN INTO HEAVEN WITHOUT
TASTING DEATH having overcome death and therefore, restored
the SEALING POWERS in the Melchizedek Priesthood that MAKES
ETERNAL LIFE AVAILABLE TO ALL.
Also Words of JS, Page 244 "What was the power of
Melchisedick........... ADMINISTERING ENDLESS LIVES TO THE
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ADAM ..."
Teachings, Page 237-8 ".... the people should each one stand
for himself, and depend on no
man .........righteous persons could only deliver their own
souls ..."
RB, Heb. 6:1 "Therefore not leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, and of
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD , and of
eternal judgment,
3 And we will go on unto perfection if God permit. "
It was Paul's desire for the Hebrews that they would try
diligently to reach perfection so that they would not have
to continually REPEAT the earthly experience.
D & C 88:116 "This is the glory of God, and the
sanctified; and they shall not ANY MORE see
death ,"
RB, Luke 20:35 "But they who shall be accounted worthy to
obtain that world through resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 NEITHER CAN THEY DIE ANY MORE for they
are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,
being the children of the resurrection." (They having
achieved a resurrection equal to Christ's resurrection)
The pattern followed for baptisms for the dead is, first the
ordinance is accomplished on
earth.36
36 Those who do these
baptisms are referred to as saviors:
Teachings, Page 191, "He (Joseph Smith) presented baptism
for the dead as the only way that men can appear as SAVIORS
on Mount Zion.~ (Also Words of JS, Page 318)
The dictionary gives the meaning of "SAVIOR" as: "A person
who rescues someone or something from dire circumstances"
which is consistent since this ordinance opens up the way
for the sinful dead to be rescued from perrnanent
damnation.
And these baptisms are recorded on earth and then in heaven
(D & C 127:6 & 7).
And the dead are "LOOSED" FROM THEIR PRISON:
D & C 128:10 ".... upon this rock I
will build my church: and THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT
PREVAIL AGAINST IT. And I will give unto thee the keys of
the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven; and WHATSOEVER THOU SHAL
LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN. "
If this "loosing power" were into a permanent resurrected
state of imperfection then, of course, hell would
prevail.
And there was great joy in heaven:
D & C 128:19 "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which
we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from
heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings
for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the
dead; glad tidings of great joy.
....................
22 ...........Let the dead speak forth anthems of
eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained.
before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem
them out of their prison, for THE PRISONERS SHALL GO
FREE ."
So important is it that this saving power continue for the
salvation of mankind that it is restored whenever possible
to the earth:
D & C 128:9 "It may seem to some to be a very bold
doctrine that we talk of - a power which records or BINDS
(SECURES TO THE RECIPIENT THE CONTINUED BENEFIT OF THE PLAN
OF SALVATION) on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in
all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a
dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual
revelation or anv set of men this power has always been
given ."
And the dead are judged:
D & C 128:6 ".... John the Revelator was contemplating
this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared,
as you will find recorded in Rev. 20:12 - "And I saw the
dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were
opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of
life; but the dead were judged out of those things which
were written in the books, according to their works;"
How this judgment is determined is shown in Section 88 of
the Doctrine and Covenants which revelation is the "Olive
Leaf" plucked from the Tree of Paradise as the Lord's
message of peace and, therefore, THE POWER OF THE REDEMPTION
IN OPERATION:
Verses 3 through 14 begins with an explanation of the
Savior, the author of the redemption, who promises us
continued light to quicken our understandings and eternal
life as the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Verse 14 reads as follows: "Now, verily I say unto you, that
THROUGH THE REDEMPTION WHICH IS MADE FOR
YOU IS BROUGHT TO PASS THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD."
Again the scripture verifies that the term "resurrection" is
associated with REDEMPTION
not a literal resurrection into a permanent sinful state
from which there is no escape. If this were not so this
revelation certainly could not be termed as "the Lord's
message of peace."
The revelation explains that the earth is being prepared for
a celestial glory and must be cleansed from all
unrighteousness. This cleansing is accomplished through the
many kingdoms (different levels of progress or
retrogression) that the dead are elected to through this
judgment. They are quickened (made alive) to the fullness of
that situation they are elected to and must abide the law of
that fullness (kingdom). For some kingdoms the law is to
abide without "Light." These are those who are elected to
suffer the buffetings of Satan:
Words of JS, Page 330 "This spirit of Elijah was manifest in
the days of the Apostles in delivering certain ones
to the buffitings of Satan THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED
in the day of the Lord Jesus, they were sealed by the spirit
of Elijah unto the damnation of Hell untill the day of the
Lord or revealtion of Jesus Christ HERE IS THE
DOCTRIN OF ELECTION THAT THE WORLD HAVE QUARRELED SO MUCH
ABOUT. BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT
,...."
We know that Cain was perdition before the world was
(Moses 5:24) and in order for him to become
perdition, since he started out innocent in the beginning,
as did all spirits (D & C 93:38), he had to have been a
recipient of the spiritual endowment given in the
organization of some other heaven, then born into a
tabernacle on some other earth with the earthly
characteristics of which he overcame sufficiently to be
renewed to the knowledge of this spiritual endowment
(God-self) through the Holy Spirit and then denied
this knowledge
37
and yet he was born again on this earth
receiving again a tabernacle and was cursed
in this life time having received that which would best
teach him the lesson he needed to learn so that he would
EVENTUALLY BE EXALTED .
37 The unpardonable sin
must be committed while dwelling on an earth in a
tabernacle:
Diaries, Pages 466 & 467 "......Cannot commit the
unpardonable sin AFTER THE DISSOLUTION OF THE BODY ...
Why? Must commit the unpardonable sin in this world,
will suffer in the Eternal world UNTIL HE WILL BE
EXALTED."
Another separate case involves infants. Little children (as
has already been mentioned) who die before they reach the
age of accountability are saved in the Celestial Kingdom (D
& C 137:10), so they have already progressed to that
status and came again to this earth - not for continued
progression - but for the following reason:
D & C 29:48 " .... For it is given unto them
even as I will .... that great things may be
required at the hand of their fathers ."
Verses 34 through 45 (D & C 88) explain the laws, bounds
and conditions of these different kingdoms on the earth and
the light they will receive in their minutes, hours, days,
weeks, months, years - all symbolic of
different periods of time.
Verse 46 through 61 "Unto WHAT SHALL I LIKEN THESE
KINGDOMS, that ye may understand ?" And to help us
understand that these kingdoms are ON THE EARTH a parable is
given about a man having a field in which he sends his
servants and ministers unto them in their hour, time and
season, from the first to the last and from the last unto
the first THAT THEY MIGHT BE GLORIFIED IN HIM THAT
HE ALSO MIGHT BE GLORIFIED . The owner of the
vineyard is God and we are his servants and as servants in
his vineyard sometimes we are first and sometimes last
according to how many times we need to receive the light on
the level of development (kingdom) we are elected to in our
continuously alloted probationary time.
Even the earth is patterned after continued life: birth,
growth, death and resurrection (continued life). There is
spring (birth), summer (growth), winter (death) and spring
(resurrection) where life is again renewed into a period of
growth. And with this renewed life and continued growth,
eternal life eventually becomes a reality even for this
earth, which is now the Telestial Kingdom. According to
Article of Faith No. 10, it "will be renewed and receive its
paradisiacal glory" (become a Celestial sphere). To reach a
better understanding of this processs let me give one
example - the fruit tree. Does it produce anything of great
value the first season or does it take many seasons for the
miracle to happen? And if this procedure is important to
fulfill the purpose of the life of a tree how necessary it
must be to fulfill the eternal destiny of the spirit of
man.
Verse 62 "And again, verily I say unto you, my friends,
I LEAVE THESE SAYINGS WITH YOU TO PONDER IN YOUR
HEARTS , .... "
For a moment let us also ponder IN OUR
HEARTS the concept that one lifetime determines our
eternal destiny. If this were so it stands to reason that a
just God would give equal opportunity for all to achieve
eternal life. This does not appear to be the case. In fact,
one would have to conclude that some are predestined for
failure from the beginning. Let us consider some of the
circumstances dealt in this, the Telestial World of
experience. According to scripture, children who die before
the age of accountability are worthy of the Celestial and
since perfect understanding is a characteristic of Godhood,
which understanding comes only from extensive experience how
could they qualify? And if per chance they did qualify, how
unfortunate are those who live beyond the age of
accountability for this "one time" experience could result
in a lesser hugdom permanendy, which seems to be the lot of
the masses, and even lead to the damnation of perdition.
While some bask in the security of love and the comforts of
life others are recipients of poverty, hate, prejudice,
physical and mental abuse and many of them react to society
accordingly - how can they do otherwise? But if there were
only one judgment, if they did not do otherwise, there would
be no second chance. And so, for that prodigal son, who, in
the eternities may wish to return there will be no
encouragement, no yellow ribbons on the tree of forgiveness,
no welcoming arms or tears of joy? Taking everything into
consideration one must begin to ask some very important
questions: "WHO LOCKED THE GATE ?" "Who
limited repentance and cancelled forgiveness and mercy,
making divine love conditional?" "IS JUDGMENT OUT OF
CONTROL !!?" How can one believe that a perfect God
can live in eternal love and peace while condeming others to
eternal suffering in hell? Does not this type of thinking
make the parables and teachings of Jesus a sham? Surely it
can not be that the Plan of Salvation amounts to one drop of
water in a sea of ENDLESS time.
All will eventually know God: (Section 88) Verse 49 "The
light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it
not; nevertheless, the day shall come when YOU shall
comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by
him .
50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I
am, and that I am the true light THAT IS IN
YOU , and THAT YOU ARE IN ME ;
otherwise ye could not abound."
There are spirits here on the earth on all levels -
Celestial. Terrestrial and Telestial AMONG ALL
NATIONS .
Abraham was chosen "before the earth was" (Abraham 3:22
& 23) having qualified in some other time and place to
be president of a dispensation and to set an example. He
became known as the FATHER OF THE FAITHFUL for those who,
like he, could live the carnal commandment righteously -
through faith.
Keys of Enoch, Key 303, Page 362, Verse 16 "This planet, as
a result of the Lucifurian rebellion was placed in a state
of retrogressive evolution, so that even the "Masters" who
incarnate must pay the price of this karmic evolution by
continually being conditioned to physical limitations and
life in ignorance of the divine voice, until they are
reconnected with their divine Overself as shown in the
baptism of lesus."
Key 212, Verse 24 ".... the physical body which is
re-energized on the other side of light will be used by
those triumphant beings who will receive new instructions
and return with their physical vehicle to serve other dust
world creations. Others will use their perfected body of
Light to evolve into the higher worlds which no longer have
need of the physical form, for they will exist in bodies of
Masters of Light."
THE 76TH SECTION OF THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS IS A
VISION ON THE PLAN OF SALVATION . Joseph Smith
states the following about this vision: (Journal, Page 42):
".... on the 16th of February, 1832, while translating St.
John's Gospel, myself and Elder Rigdon saw the following
Vision:
Nothing could be more pleasine to the
Saints upon the order of the hngdom of the Lord. than the
light which burst upon the world through the foregoing
vision. Every law. every commandment, every promise, every
truth, and every point touching the destiny of man. from
Genesis to Revelation. where the purity of the scriptures
remains unsullied by the folly of men, go to show the
perfection of the theory and witnesses the fact that that
document is a transcript from the records of the eternal
world. The sublimity of the ideas: the purity of the
language: the scope for action: the continued duration for
completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess
the Lord and bow the knee: the rewards for faithfulness. and
the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the
narrow-mindedness of men. that every honest man is
constrained to exclaim: "It came from God .~
The foregoing is so beautiful it makes me wonder why it was
not printed to precede the revelation, SECTION
76, in the Doctrine and Covenants FOR WHICH
IT MUST HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY INTENDED .
Note the underlined which shows the happiness the Saints
would have if they comprehended the punishments, rewards,
and continued duration for completion of this
plan for the heirs of salvation which is
FAR BEYOND THE NARROW-MINDEDNESS OF MEN
.
This 76th Section was received while they were translating
John 5:29 which is on the resurrection of the just and the
unjust. Here again the term "resurrection" does not mean a
one way ticket into eternal hell for those who are not
worthy of a celestial glory. The vision (given in the
Spirit) involved the FULL SPECTRUM of the
gospel of Jesus Christ which is the Plan of Salvation. The
revelation pays tribute to the Savior - his wisdom,
marvelous ways and PURPOSES THAT FAIL NOT
(Verses 1-4) and involves the RESURRECTION OF THE
DEAD and the points of doctrine on the salvation
for the dead that were taken from the Bible; the promise
that they would see the things of MANY
GENERATIONS was theirs for, taken into the future,
they saw the FULLNESS of Christ's glory and
the santified of the earth worshiping before the Throne
(Verses 20-23) and from the past they beheld the casting out
of Lucifer and his followers - Perdition they were
who had know the Son through the Spirit and then denied
Him , thus they would suffer the second
death (lose His image and likeness) and would go
away into endless and everlasting punishment -
living without any "Light" to reign with the devil
and his angels in eternity nAnd the end thereof, neither the
place thereof, nor their
torment,38 no man
knows;" (Verses 44 & 45)
38 D & C 19:6
.....IT IS NOT WRITTEN THAT THERE SHALL BE NO END TO THIS
TORMENT. but it is written endless torment,
7 Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is
more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon
the hearts of the chi1dren of men, altogether for my names's
glory.
8 Wherefore, T WILL EXPLAIN UNTO YOU THIS MYSTERY, for it is
meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.
9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as
one, that you rnay enter into my rest.
10 For, behold. the mysterv of godliness, how great is it!
For, behold, I am endless. and the punishment which is yiven
from mv hand is endless punishment. for Endless is mv name.
Wherefore
11 Etermal punishment is God's punishment.
12 Endless punishment is God's punishment.. (Also Ro.
8:38-39; D & C 50:42)
How wonderful to know that there is an end to the
~Endless!~
Verse 40 "And this is the gosple , the glad tidings, which
the voice out of heavens bore
record unto us
41 That he came into the world, even ksus, to be crucified
for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to
sanctify the world, and to cleanse it fom all
unrighteousness;
42 That through him ALL MIGHT BE SAVED whom
the Father had put into his power and MADE BY
HIM ; "
The vision showed all the different levels (referred to as
kingdoms) of attainment or regression that the spirits
merited - Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial. The
Telestial involves all those who claim membership in some
organized religious affiliation but received not the
TRUE MESSAGE of the gospel (Plan of
Salvation). (Verses 99-101)
The summary of the foregoing is: Christ (who did not have to
die having already merited eternal life) died and was
resurrected to remove the enemy death for those who die in
their sins that they would not remain in this sinful state
but could be born again and continue their experience going
from grace to grace until they also overcome death and have
etemal life or, in other words, until they can be
resurrected into a state of perfection as was Christ which
pattern is shown in Christ's baptism .
The main object of building temples is for the Plan of
Salvation to be presented there step by step for our
complete understanding:
Words of JS, Page 212 H....the main object (of gathering the
people of God in any age of the world) was to build unto the
Lord an house whereby he could reveal unto his people the
ordinances of his house and glories of his kingdom
& TEACH THE PEOPLE THE WAYS OF
SALVATION .... "
There were rules set up for the first temple built at
Kirtland, Ohio:
Diaries, Page 103 "I then retired to the council room in the
printing off~ce to met my colleagues who were appointed with
my self to draft rules and regulations to be
observed in the House of the Lord in Kirtland built
by the Church of the Latter Day Saints, in the year of our
Lord 1834."
One of the rules was (continuing on Page 103):
"1st No man shall be interupted who is appointed to speak by
the Presidency of the Church,
by any disorderly person or persons in the congregation,
......by any display of ill manners or ill breeding
from old or young, rich or poor male or female. bond or
free. black or white, believer or unbeliever . If
any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be
taken as are lawful to punish the agressor or agressors and
eject them out of the house."
EVERYONE - children, women and men, all
races (black, white, yellow etc.) and even
UNBELIEVERS - were to be taught in the
temple. There was no secrecy or qualifying to enter, no
identif~cation shown. Here, everyone would become fully
acquainted with the covenants under the merciful plan of
salvation. Por, if all are to be saved upon the same
principle, this inforrr.ation must be given WITHOUT
RESTRICTION to every soul on the face of the
earth.
Therefore, ALL SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND
ALLOWED to enter the temple at their convenience to
receive this very important information.
And, along with receiving knowledge of this Plan is the
tremendous responsibility of accepting it:
Words of JS, Page 342 "All sin &c forgiven
except the sin against the Holy Ghost. - GOT TO DENY
THE PLAN OF SALVATION. &c. WITH HIS EYES OPEN .
Like many of the apostates of christ of the Church of Jesus
Christ of last Days.
Let All be careful. - lest you be deceived
."
Joseph Smith has been accused of taking the temple endowment
from the Masons who were also in Nauvoo. If he didn't, he
should have because the Masons were supposed to have had
that which was given in Solomon's temple and this should
also be consistent with what Joseph received except for the
"PENALTIES " which were not to be restored
in the last dispensation, they being part of blood atonement
under the Law of Moses. (Teachings, Page 173).
All of the signs and tokens are pictured and given in
Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor, Third Edition
WITH ADDITIONS AND CORRECTION , David McKay
Company, Inc., New York. This printing of the endowment is
not completely consistent with that given in our temple
endowment.
This is the manner after which the temples were to be
built:
T & S, Vol. 6, Page 785 "The names of the temples to be
built on the painted squares, as represented on the plot of
the city of Zion, which is now about to be forwarded
thither: numbers, 10, 11 , and 12, are to be called, house
of the Lord, for the presidency of the High and Most Holy
priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, which was after
the order of the Son of God, upon Mount Zion, city of the
New Jerusalem. Numbers, 7, 8, 9; the sacred apostolic
repository, for the use of the bishop. Numbers, 4, 5, and 6;
the holy evangelical house, for the high priesthood of the
holy order of God. Numbers, 1, 2, and 3; the house of the
Lord, for the elders of Zion, and ensign to the nations.
Numbers, 22, 23, and 24; house of the Lord for the
presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of Aaron,
a standard for the people. Numbers, 19, 20, and 21; house of
the Lord, for the high priesthood after the order of Aaron,
the law of the kingdom of heaven, messenger to the people.
Numbers, 16, 17, and 18; house of the Lord for the teachers
in Zion, messenger to the church. Numbers 13, 14, and 15;
house of the Lord for the deacons in Zion, helps in
government. Underneath must be written on each house,
HOLINESS TO THE LORD. "
Keys of Enoch, Key 319, Page 557, Verse 134 "And in the
'land' of the Ancient of Days, in the great land of the
West, I saw how those who work with Metatron and Melchizedek
established twenty-four pyramidal communities of 'Light'
shaped through a unique architecture and surrounded by
different 'walls' of light. In actuality, these were
'temples' of the new Age built in the heart land of
Altea-America where the gifts of spiritual teaching
were used directly .
135 And, out of the Twenty-Four temples, three pyramidal
temples were established for communication with the 'temples
of Light' or technologies of the Jerusalem Command that
encircled the earth. These temples limited the powers of the
"Prince of the Air, n enabling only
the word and command of Michael to penetrate and be received
by the faithful wto were told
what they were to do in cooperating with the overthrow of
the forces of spiritual darkness. I
136 Thus, a special government of Light took its
place in the central region of the Americas. In a central
city of 'the land of the Ancient of Day~' I saw how the
Order of Melchizedek and the Priesthood of Melchizedek
became ~one council~ in the holy city of Enoch. "
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It is necessary that throughout time this information on the
Plan of Salvation is made available that all will understand
the purpose of life and what the eternities have in store
for them. How I
this is accomplished will be covered in the next chapter.
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