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Chapter Six
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
As we study the Plan of Salvation we will find it is a
PERFECT plan which encompasses all situations, includes
everything, everyone and guarantees exaltation. If this were
not so we would have to conclude that God has limitations
and was, therefore, not infinite. Joseph Smith presents the
following:
Teachings, "Plan of Salvation Before the World Was," Page
220 "The great Jehovah contemplated the whole of the
events connected with the earth. PERTAINING TO THE PLANOF
SALVATION, before it rolled into existen
ce, ......the past. the present and the future were
and are! with Him, one eternal "now; " He knew of
the fall of Adam, the iniquities of the antediluvians, of
the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human
family, their weakness and strength, their power and glory,
apostasies, their crimes, their righteousness and
iniquity; HE COMPREHENDED THE FALL OF MAN. AND HIS
REDEMPTION; HE KNEW THE PLAN OF SALVATION AND POINTED
IT OUT; He was acquainted with the situation of all
nations and with their destiny; He ordered all things
according to the council of His own will; HE KNOWS
THE SITUATION OF BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, AND MADE
AMPLE PROVISION FOR THEIR REDEMP TION, according to
their several circumstances, and the laws of the kingdom of
God, whether in this world, or in the world to come. "
This Plan was first presented to us in the spirit world for
our approval:
Teachings, Page 181 "At the FIRST ORGANIZATION in heaven we
were all present, and SAW THE SAVIOR CHOSEN AND APPOINTED
AND THE PLAN OF SALVATION MADE, AND WE
SANCTIONED IT."
The steps we take to accomplish this Plan involve the
ordinances in both the Aaronic and Melchizedek
Priesthoods.
1. Aaronic Ordinances
The original 3rd and 4th Articles of Faith are:
ISBHW, Vol. II, A of F, 3. "We believe that through the
Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience
to the laws and
ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that these ordinances are: 1st, Faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ; 2nd, Repentance: 3rd. Baptism by
immersion for the remission of sins; 4th, laying on
of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit; 5th, The
Lord 's Supper. "
The following information is taken from the Lectures on
Faith where Joseph Smith informs us that faith
is the foundation of all righteousness
and the principle of action in
all intelligent beings. (JSBHW, Vol. 11, Section I, Page 5,
Para. 1 & 9)
Page 6, Para. 11 "Was it not the hope which you had, in
consequence of your belief in the existence of unseen
things, which stimulated you to action and exertion, in
order to obtain them?
......... Would you have ever sown if you had not believed
that you would reap? ......Or may we not ask, what have you,
or what do you possess, which you have not obtained by
reason of your faith?"
Page 7, Para. 13 ".... faith is not only
the principle of action, but of
power , also, in all intelligent beings, whether
in heaven , or on earth."
Section VII, Page 63, Para. 3 "... when a man works
by faith he works by mental exertion instead of
physical force:"
Page 65, Para. 8 "....When men begin to live by
faith they begin to draw near to God: and when faith is
perfected they are like him ; ...."
To summarize the foregoing on faith we find the importance
of its presence and the folly of its absence. Faith is the
foundation of righteousness because it is the beginning of
believing, hoping, and wanting which stimulates one to
action through sincere mental effort to find God and as we
draw near unto Him we take on his likeness. Therefore,
where faith IS NOT neither is there any spiritual
progression and SINCE THE GOSPEL ORDINANCES CAN BE PERFORMED
THROUGH PHYSICAL EFFORT WITHOUT THE EXERCISE OF FAITH THEY
CAN BECOME RITUALISTIC HABIT OR "DEAD WORKS :"
Isaiah 1:3 "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his
master's crib: but Israel doth not know. mv people
doth not consider.
4 .... they have forsaken the
Lord ,....
.....................
13 Bring no more VAIN OBLATIONS ;
........THE CALLING OF ASSEMBLIES, I cannot
away with; it is iniquity , EVEN THE SOLEMN
MEETING."
According to the foregoing, oblations offered without
exercising faith in the Savior's Atonement are, to put it
bluntly, "a waste of time and effort."
The second is repentance:
Perhaps the first thing we must know about repentance is
that it is involved with breaking a law for one can not
repent if they have not transgressed. Wasn't that an
intelligent statement? l ll bet you didn't know that. Well,
anyway, the next statement is going to shock you for I am
going to say that Adam and Eve were NOT
UNHAPPY about their transgression and I will quote
a scripture to prove it:
Moses 5:10 (Adam is speaking) " Blessed be the name of God,
for BECAUSE OF MY
TRANSGRESSION MY EYES ARE OPENED, AND IN THIS LIFE I SHALL
HAVE JOY, AND AGAIN IN THE FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD.
11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was
GLAD , saying: Were it not for our
transgression wee ........never should have known good and
evil, and the joy of our
redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all
the obedient."
Isn't it wonderful that Adam and Eve did not consider
transgression a fatal disease but comprehended that the joy
of a redemption could not be had without first having the
experience of learning good from evil. There is a marvelous
statement in The Urantia Book on Page 1739 that goes along
with this that I must quote:
"Do not become discouraged by the discovery that you are
human. Human nature may tend toward evil, but it is not
inherently sinful. Be not downcast by your failure wholly to
forget some of your regrettable experiences. The mistakes
which you fail to forget in time will be forgotten in
eternity. Lighten your burdens of soul by speedily
acquiring a long-distance view of your destiny, a UNIVERSE
EXPANSION of your career .
Make not the mistake of estimating the soul's worth by the
imperfections of the mind or by the appetities of the body.
Judge not the soul nor evaluate its destiny by the standard
of a single unfortunate human episode. Your spiritual
destiny is conditioned only by your spiritual longings and
purposes."
I think this information helps us to keep things in the
proper perspective for if we become overly involved with the
popular terms "sin" and "guilt" we may lose sight of our
self worth and that wonderful term "repentance" and the
importance of the indispensable knowledge gained under the
law of cause and effect which is the real purpose of this
earth life. We have already learned from the scriptures that
without weakness we can not become strong and without sin we
can not become righteous and so this is a necessary
experience. Therefore, if you think you are never going to
be involved with sin in either thought or action you are
sadly mistaken for weakness is going to give into weakness
until you become tired of the repeated experience and desire
something better and that desire will be the beginning of
discovering your true spiritual identity.
FROM THE FOREGOING I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE
THE IMPRESSION THAT WE SHOULD WILLINGLY COMMIT EVERY SIN
THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE but only
that as long as the earthly characteristics ARE DOMINANT we
are going to submit to the weaknesses of the flesh from time
to time which should not be interpreted as devastation to
the soul but as experience only.
We are taught to put the focus, even in religious teachings,
on the "outward" or THAT WHICH WE CAN SEE but that which we
can see is not the complete picture. The full spectrum may
be compared to that of the metamorphosis of a butterfly from
a caterpillar. There is the caterpillar (earthly) stage, the
transition (chrysalis) or repentance stage (discarding that
which is earthly), and the butterfly stage (becoming your
true spiritual identity). God dwells on THE END RESULT - the
butterfly stage.14
We have a tendency to dwell on the caterpillar stage.
The dictionary gives the meaning of repentance as: "to
remember with sorrow; to feel pain, sorrow, or regret for
something one has done or left undone; to change one's mind
about some past action."
I like the last meaning best which means that that which we
once desired has lost its value and we are going to make a
change. Now this process does come about through
remembering, pain, sorrow and even regret, and it may take
time for us to become educated for the learning process is
gradual. And, as it is with the learning process, so it is
with the changing process (repentance) but it is eventually
going to happen. Anything contrary to our spiritual nature
is
14 Words of JS, Page 342
~We are looked upon by God as though we were in Eternity -
~
Going to run its corse and end for we will eventualy desire
and become the perfection of the endowment given the eternal
spirit. Nevertheless, sometimes in our darkest hours of
dealing with the earthly experience we may forget the "God
within" and have to be shocked into reality as was the case
with Alma, the younger (Mosiah Ch. 27), and Saul of Tarsus
who became Paul (RB, The Acts 9: L-22). To stress this point
I am going to relate a true story:
This is about a man and a woman (not husband and wife) who
had both been active Latter Day Saints. They had held high
positions in the Church but had become alcoholic. They lost
their families, church membership and he his job and in
order to support their expensive habits they became involved
in the profitable business of prostitution. One late night
he saw her lying in the gutter and in the process of helping
her up he had a vision, for when he looked into her eyes he
beheld an angel (her spiritual self). This experience led to
the repentance of two souls.
Ever since Satan's scheme was rejected in heaven he has
tried to make the Savior's plan incompetent by convincing us
that we, as "sinners" are beyond repentance. Each time this
happens he has made the Atonement ineffective and
accomplished his purpose. This is the worst kind of tyranny
- the use of the guilt complex which develops into shame and
then a feeling of total worthlessness. Therefore, beware of
anyone who tries to give you the impression that, because of
your experiences in this sojourn in life, you are no longer
deserving or are beyond recovery for they are playing the
Satanic game - the ego game. EVERYONE, and I do mean
everyone - EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THE
UNPARDONABLE SIN (as it is called) - WILL EVENTUALLY BE
EXALTED and this is through God's mercy and love, but this
subject is for another chapter. That last sentence was a
little "tidbit" I threw in just in case you are falling
asleep. I found this information in the diaries of Joseph
Smith and I realized immediately that it was
a real "eye opener."
The next step is baptism.
The baptismal font is in similitude of the grave or, in
other words, a burial
.15 In the first
part of the process of baptism we are lowered into the water
or grave in the process of burying the body of sin and
coming forth out of the water is being washed clean from our
sins, having received a remission through the blood of the
Savior 16 or, in
other words, the resurrection of a new creature having
overcome the flesh WHICH IS IN SIMILITUDE OF
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION .
Paul explains it this way to the Romans:
RB, Ro. 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death : that like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so WE ALSO SHOULD WALK
IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
15 D & C 128:13 " ....
the baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the
grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath ....
"
16 RB, Rev. 1:6 "And unto him who loved us,
be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood,"
5 For IF WE HAVE BEEN PLANTED TOGETHER IN THE
LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH, WE SHALL BE ALSO IN THE LIKENESS OF
HIS RESURRECTION :
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him. that the body of sin might be destroyed. that
henceforth we should not serve sin .
7 For he that is DEAD TO SIN IS FREED FROM
SIN ." (Also Alma 7:14 & 15, St. John
3:6&7)
The dictionary gives the meaning of dead
as: Lacking feeling or sensitivity; numb or unresponsive."
Therefore, when we, through the pattern shown us in baptism,
leave behind the body of sin, then WE HAVE BECOME
INSENSITIVE OR UNRESPONSIVE TO THE DEMANDS AND WEAKNESSES OF
THE FLESH. Therefore, we are no longer its prisoner and are
free or, as the scripture states, we have become "DEAD TO
SIN" and are, therefore, "FREE FROM SIN." This does not mean
that the inherent characteristics of the flesh are no longer
there for flesh is flesh; this means we have lost interest
having graduated to a higher level - to something much more
desirable. IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED KNOWLEDGE OF OUR
TRUE SPIRITUAL IDENTITY IT REMAINS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE
1 HlS TRANSmON FOR WE ARE CONSTANTLY FLOODED WITH PROPAGANDA
THAT PREYS UPON THE NATURAL INSTINCTS - THE APPETITE, THE
SEX DRIVE, THE EGO - AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO BE
"ABLE" FOR EFFECTIVE SELF GRATIFICATION .
Therefore, when the flesh begins to deteriorate year by year
before our eyes, AS IT HAS THE HABIT OF DOING IN
THIS TELESTIAL SYSTEM, the feeling can be
one of
devastation.l7
It must again be stressed that THE PERFORMANCE OF ANY
ORDINANCE, EVEN THE ORDINANCE BAPTISM, IS ONLY THE PATTERN
AND NOT THE SOLUTION. Therefore, without continued effort to
subdue the flesh it is accounted as "DEAD
WORKS:"
D & C 22:2 " although a man should be
baptized an hundred times IT AVAILETH HIM NOTHING. for you
can not enter in at the Strait gate .......BY YOUR DEAD
WORKS."
The Sacrament
JSBHW, Vol. 11, Ch. XXIV, Page 53 & 54 (D & C
20:76-79), Verses 56-59 "And the elder
or priest shall administer it (the Sacrament); and after
this manner ........HE SHALL KNEEL WITH THE
CHURCH and call upon the Father in
mighty prayer ..."
In this prayer (on the bread) we are asked IF WE ARE WILLING
TO TAKE UPON OURSEL VES THE NAME OF THE SON THAT W E MAY
HAVE HIS SPIRIT TO BE WITH US. In administering
the wine'18
we are to remember the blood of the Son shed for us
THAT
17 The only way to preserve
that which is earthly is to seek that which is
spiritual:
D & C 84:23 ~For whoso is faithful
unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have
spoken. and the magnifying~ their calling. are sanctified by
the Spirit unto the RENEWING of their bodies..
18 The wine mentioned here was not
to be an alcoholic beverage . (See D & C
27:2~)
WE MAY HAVE HIS SPIRIT TO BE WITH US
Therefore, the purpose of the sacramert is to remember the
Savior's suffering in our behalf and be willing to take upon
ourselves THE NATURE OF CHRIST WHICH OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE
HOLY SPIRIT TO WORK IN US. This preparatory covenant
also must. IN SINCERITY, be renewed to us each time or
nothing has been accomplished .
The first part of the Plan of Salvation will be quoted to
summarize the foregoing:
Moses 6:59 "That by reason of transgression cometh
the fall. which fall bringeth death. and inasmuch as ye were
bom into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit,
which I have made. and so become of dust a living
soul.19
' even so ye must be bom again into the kingdom of heaven.
of water. and of the Spirit? and be cleansed by blood, even
the blood of mine only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified
from all sin, and enjoy the words of etemal life in
this world, and etem al
life in the world to come, even immortal glory:
60 For by the
water
20 ye keep the commandment: by the
Spirit ye are justified. and by the blood ye are
sanctified;"
This first part of the Plan of Salvation - the Aaronic
Covenants (pertaining to the Telestial world) are RENEWED to
us in the temple wherein we agreed to this first birth -
receiving a tabernacle of flesh to learn good from evil
which brought about a spiritual death; we also agreed to
subdue the flesh that we could be cleansed through the blood
of the Savior and recover from this spiritual death. (See St
John 3:6 & 7)
The foreoing ordinances were to prepare us to receive the
Holy Spirit. Joseph Smith explains:
Words of JS, Page 230 ".... MIGHT AS WELL BAPTIZE
A BAG OF SAND AS A MAN IF NOT DONE IN VIEW OF THE
GETTING OF THE HOLY GHOST . --BAPTISM BY WATER IS
BUT 1/2 A BAPTISM - & IS GOOD FOR NOTHING WITH (OUT) THE
OTHER,
THE HOLY GHOST
21
.........except a man be BORN AGAIN of water & of the
spirit can in
no wise enter into the Kingdom."
Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Melchizedek Covenant) is the
means through which we receive the fullness of the
Father.22
19 " In this first birth
the fetus is surrounded in the womb by water, so when we are
born we ~come out of the water. into a telestial world, a
natural man. Isn't this ~coming out of the water. symbolic
of an evolutionary process through which the weaknesses of
the flesh are inherited?
20 The term ~Water~ is a representation of
God's love (1 Ne. 11:25), therefore, everything God asks us
to do by commandment whether we want to or not, we do
through our love for God.
21 ' In the temple while we are renewed to
the Aaronic covenants we wear the priesthood robes on the
LEFT SHOULDER which means we are not, as yet, received of
the Father.
22 JSBIIW, Vol. 11, L on F, Section V, Page
54 ~As the Son partakes of the fulness of the Father through
the Spirit. so the Saints are. bv the same Spirit. to be
partakers of the same fulness. to enjoy the same glory;
2. Melchizedek Ordinances
Teachings, Page 148 "The Gift of the Holy
Ghost by the laying on of hands, CANNOT BE
RECEIVED THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ANY OTHER PRINCIPLE THAN THE
PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS , for if the proposals
are not complied with, it is of no use, but withdraws."
(Also Words of JS, Page 3).
Righteousness, not just the performance of the ordinance, is
required:
Mosiah 27:24 "For, said he (Alma), I have repented of my
sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I
am born of the Spirit .
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind,
yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and
people, must be BORN AGAIN; yea, born of
God , CHANGED FROM THEIR CARNAL AND FALLEN STATE,
TO A STATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, being redeemed of God,
BECOMING his sons and daughters ;
26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do
this. they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. "
When we are BORN OF THE SPIRIT we are RENEWED to the "record
of heaven:"
(Continuing with the Plan of Salvation) Moses 6:61
"Therefore IT IS GIVEN TO ABIDE IN YOU: the RECORD
OF HEAVEN: the Comforter: the peaceable things of immortal
glory: the truth of all things: THAT WHICH OUICKENETH ALL
THINGS. WHICH MAKETH ALIVE ALL THINGS: that which knoweth
all things. and hath all power according to wisdom. mercy,
truth, justice. and judgment ." (Also D & C
42:17)
Make note that that which is to be QUICKENED (made
alive)23 and abide
IN YOU is the RECORD OF HEAVEN which is
THE FULLNESS OF YOUR TRUE IDENIITY. And
having all of this is RECOVERING FROM THE SPIRITUAL
DEATH:
JSBHW, Vol. II, L on F, Section V, Page 54, Para. 2 " ....
and all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from
grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingd om,
and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; possessing the same
mind,24 being
TRANSFORMED into
23 The
Dictionary meaning of "quicken" is ~to make alive" which is
consistent with the scripture.
24 JSBHW, Vol. 11, L on F, Section V, Page
53, Para. 2 ~And he being the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a
fulness of the glory of the Father - POSSESSING THE SAME
MIND with the Father, which mind is the Holy
Spirit , that bears record of the Father and the
Son, ~ (Also D & C 42: 17)
THE SAME IMAGE OR LIKENESS
25
even the EXPRESS IMAGE of him who fills all in all
; being filled with the FULNESS of his glory,"
Thus, we have become the "IMAGE AND LIKENESS," which is the
FULLNESS OF THE FATHER - the Tree of Life.
Words of JS, Page 340 "IF MEN DO NOT COMPREHEND THE
CHARACTER OF GOD THEY DO NOT COMPREHEND THEMSELVES. what
kind of being is God? - Eternal life to know God. - IF MAN
DOES NOT KNOW GOD, HAS NOT ETERNAL LIFE." (Also 1 John
3:2)
The foregoing informs us that "KNOWING" is "BEING,"
therefore, this is not a "Pleased to make your acquaintance"
transaction but "BEING" the God WITHIN.
And this is eternal life:
St. John 17:3 "And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they
might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ. whom
thou hast sent . "
(Also D & C 132:24)
To have this image and likeness "promised" or SEALED to us
permanently is having our calling and election made sure and
this is accomplished through the Holy Spirit of Promise who
is Jesus Christ (Teachings Pgs. 150 & 151 and D & C
88:3 & 4):
Words of JS, Page 4, "St Paul exhorts us to make our
Calling & Election shure. This is that SEALING
POWER spoken of by Paul in other places (See Eph I. 13.14.
In whom ye also trusted. that after ye heard the
WORK (the term WORK is "WORD" in the scripture)
of truth: the gospel of your salvation. in whom also
after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit
of promise. Which is the earnest of OUR
INHERITANCE, until the redemption of the purchased
possession unto the praise of his glory.) THAT WE MAY BE
SEALED UP UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION,"
Diaries, Pages 404 and 405, "The world is reserved unto
burning in the last days Four
destroying angels holding power over the 4 quarters of the
earth UNTIL THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE SEALED IN THEIR
FOREHEADS. What is that seal? Shall I tell you? No
. |
Doctrine Election Sealing on the top of their heads tis not
the cross as the Catholics whould have it.....
25 Alma 5-14 " .... have
ve spintuallY been born of God? Have ve received his IMAGE
in your countenances?
Keys of Enoch, Key 301, Page 349, Verse 71: "The key invites
us to enter into the presence of myriads
of universes sharing the same divine presence of the
Father.
72 And you accept it by asking that the Higher Intelligence
working with YHWH (YHWH is Hebrew for God), the Eternal
Mind, come into you and use you as a Light unto your
fellowman. You must empty yourself of the "confusions of the
world" and ask the Father to pour His Light into your
garment of flesh. "
A man Judge Higby in world of spirits, IS
SEALED ONTO THE THRONE, and DOCTRINE OF ELECTION SEALING THE
PATHER AND CHILDREN TOGETHER .
"26
Joseph Smith dropped a hint about the sealing powers when he
informed them that Judge Higby was sealed to the throne.
Thus, Judge Higby was sealed to the Eternal Father (The Tree
of Life) - NOT AN EARTHLY FATHER ,
therefore, BEING SEALED IN OUR FOREHEADS IS BEING SEALED TO
OUR SPIRITUAL
IDENTITY27 which
eventually must happen before the world is burned in the
last days:
Words of JS, Page 19 (Footnote 9) ~Joseph Smith asked
rhetorically how the Lord's restatement (D & C
84:98)28 of Jeremiah's great
prophecy on the last days (Jer.
31:31-34)29 was to be
fulfilled. He answered that it will be fulfilled~
when the Saints' callings and elections are made sure and
when they receive the Second Comforter ..
Adam had his ~calling and election made sure: ~
Moses 6:64 ~And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken
with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he
was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried
down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was
brought forth out of the water.
65 And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended
upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and
became quickened IN THE INNER MAN .
26 Words of JS, Page 254
~The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to
those who are SEALED UNTO LIFE ETERNAL..
27 Paul also reasures us about the
Promises; that through God we are ~stablished in Christ.
(anointed) and, when in our hearts are ~earnest of the
Spirit, ~ sealed:
2 Cor. 1:19 ~For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was
preached among you by us was not yea and nay, but in him was
yea.
20 "For all the promises of God in him are YEA, and in him
AMEN, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath
anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the
Spirit in our hearts..
28 . D & C 84:97 ~And plagues shall go
forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I
have completed my work, which shall be cut short in
righteousness
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 eve,.
29 , Jer. 31:31 ~Behold, the days co~ne,
saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
.................
33 .... 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 NEIGHBOUR, AND
EVERY MAN HIS BROTHER, SAYING, KNOW THE LORD: FOR
THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME. FROM THE LEAST OF THEM UNTO THE
GREATESl OF THEM ,...
66 And HE HEARD A VOICE OUT OF HEAVEN. SAYING:
THOU ART BAPTIZED WITH FIRE AND WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
This is the record of the Father. and the Son,
from henceforth and forever;
67 And THOU ART AFTER THE ORDER OF HIM WHO WAS
WITHOUT BEGINNING OF DAYS OR END OF YEARS, FROM ALL ETERNITY
TO ALL ETERNITY .
68 Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; AND
THUS MAY ALL BECOME MY SONS . Amen."
Note the underlined in Verse 65 "and thus he was
born of the Spirit! and became quickened IN THE INNER
MAN ." We have already learned that QUICKENED means
"ALIVE" therefore, QUICKENED IN THE INNER MAN means ALIVE
SPIRITUALLY for Adam had become his Spiritual Self, the
image and likeness of the Father and Son IN HIM, which is
also called THE RECORD OF HEAVEN which is ETERNAL LIFE and
had heard the voice as a witness
.30
And it was the same with our Savior:
RB, St Matt. 3:45 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water; and John saw, and lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon
Jesus.
46 And lo, HE HEARD A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING.
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. HEAR YE
HIM ." (Also RB, St John 1:31, 2 Ne. 31:5 & 8
and Mormon 7:10)
The summary of the foregoing is best stated by
Moroni:
Moroni 8:25 "And the first fruits of
repentance is baptism: and baptism cometh by faith unto the
fulfilling the commandments: and the fulfilling the
commandments bringeth remission of sins;
26 And the remission of sins bringeth
meekness, and lowliness of heart: and because of meekness
and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy
Ghost. which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love,
which love endureth by diligence unto prayer! until the end
shall come. when all the saints shall dwell with God."
The Plan of Salvation is presented to us in the temple as
follows:
WE AGREED TO TAKE UPON OURSELVES THE EARTHLY EXPERIENCE WITH
A PROMISE TO RETURN TO THE SPIRITUAL (COVENANTS UNDER THE
AARONIC PRIESTHOOD) HE (THE SAVIOR) AGREED TO REMOVE ALL
OBSTACLES FOR OUR
30 The pattern is the same for
all:
"After all this make your calling and election sure ....
I Key - Knowledge is the power of Salvation.
2 Key - Make his calling and Election sure.
3 It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent
voice &c., &c. AND ANOTHER TO HEAR THE VOICE
DECLARE TO YOU, "YOU HAVE A PART AND LOT IN THE
KINGDOM .~ (Diaries, Page 380)
SAFE RETURN. WHEN WE KEEP OUR PROMISES - HE KEEPS HIS. THE
DOOR lS OPEN THROUGH THE TWO COVENANTS UNDER THE MELCHIZEDEK
PRIESTHOOD. THE "SIGN OF THE NAIL" SIGNIFIES THE ATONEMENT
WHICH REMOVES THE ENEMY DEATH; THE "SURE SIGN" IS RECEIVING
THE SPIRITUAL IMAGE AND LIKENESS PERMANENTLY (COMING BACK
INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD) or, in other words, HAVING OUR
CALLING AND ELECTION MADE SURE.
In the temple in preparation for receiving the Melchizedek
covenants we transfer the temple robes from the left to the
right shoulder symbolic of being, with the FULFILLMENT of
these higher covenants, at the RIGHT HAND of God or, in
other words, accepted of God.
Elijah restored the power (D & C 110:13-15) necessary to
seal the promises for this dispensation:
Words of JS, Page 346 " it is necessary that the
seals are in our hands to seal our children & our dead
for the fulness of the dispensation of times, A
dispensation to meet the PROMISES made by Jesus Christ befor
the foundation of the world FOR THE SALVATION OF
MAN ."
These are the NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANTS made for our
salvation:
Teachings, Page 190 "EVERLASTING COVENANT was made
between three personages before the organization of this
earth, and relates to their dispensation of things
to men on the earth ; these personages, according
to Abraham's record, are called GOD THE FIRST, THE
CREATOR: GOD THE SECOND, THE REDEEMER: AND GOD THE THIRD.
THE WITNESS OR TESTATOR ." (See Teachings, "How to
Escape Judgments," Page 16)
AND, THUS, WE ARE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF
THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST (D & C
20:72-74).
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