Temple: Powers of Heaven: 144,000: Zion

Please read this post: What is the Priesthood: Powers of Heaven. We will go from there.

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen. (Mosiah 5:15)

"may seal you his"
Hugh Nibley defines a Seal as the following in his text "Ancient Ordinances" a discussion on the ancient temple.

The sign of recognition with the Lord is to stretch out the hand and receive the sign of the cross in the hand. 

(The final rite of the crowning of the Egyptian kings was an embrace which a priest have the king as a representative of the king’s father through a canvas in a special manner, whispering certain blessings in his ear.)

Three types of greeting coming from Adam’s time:
1) a call
2) a sign in the hand,
3) an embrace. These three signs are seals.

Joseph Said,

This is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven. 

History of the Church, 6:252. (also here)

Friendship: What kind of relationship do you need to do this?

Moses 7:63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy a city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

A connection to the Powers of Heaven? Someone you know, talked with, familiar with? It seems like one form of embrace. 

"that you may be brought to heaven",

I wish to pull one sentence from the LDS endowment. This sentence is almost identical to the published version written by Brigham Young and many published documents in the early church. 

Brethren and sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will come when you will be chosen, called up, and anointed kings and queens, priests and priestesses, whereas you are now anointed only to become such. 

You see the endowment is conditional, its not the real blessings. Its an ordinance we are asked to receive in this life, that also points us to something higher, just like baptism, and the gift of the holy ghost point us to something greater. Its in a way a witness and testimony of what we have or will do.

Look at the word "called up" or as the Mosiah verse uses the terms "that you may be brought to heaven". Is this what the temple is pointing to? Is this how we receive the real thing? To converse with the Lord through the veil? While in the flesh? Lets look at some more examples.

Not lawful to utter

The scriptures have used this phrase a lot. Lets examine some of them to see how they relate to being "called up' or being "brought to heaven" or our "endowment".

13 And behold, the heavens were opened, and they were caught up into heaven, and saw and heard unspeakable things.
And it was forbidden them that they should utter; neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard; (3 Nephi 28:13-14)

Behold, it came to pass on the morrow that the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that there should not any man write them. (3 Nephi 26:16)

How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:4)

Look at Josephs Experience in Section 76 when he was caught up to Heaven. He testifies he has seen Him! This is not what is not lawful to utter. He testifies He saw God the Father. This is not what is not lawful to utter.

114 But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion;
115 Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter;

These are the mysteries that are not lawful to utter. Go read what he did reveal. Those are mysteries we should testify of.

The revelation ends with these words.

116 Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him;
117 To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves;
118 That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory.

1 THE words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain, (Moses 1: 1)

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelations 21:10)

Lehi:

8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.
9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.
10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read. (1 Nephi 1:8-11)

The scriptures are full of accounts of people receiving the fulness. They are accounts for us to teach us how to pierce the veil. The what, the why, and the how.

Kings and Priests
Lets look at the visions of John.

5 Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
6 And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father. To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen. (JST Revelations 1:5-6)

Being washed from the blood and sins of this generation is directly related to those who receive the holy order, or the power in their priesthood, or a fulness of the priesthood. In the post on the Holy Order I quoted this verse in Alma 13 vs 11, "Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.". Remember this verse in D&C 88:68.

68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will. (D&C 88:68)

"ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life"
We have NOT repented and come to Christ. Had we done that, we would have been embraced in those opened arms of our Lord. In five points of contact with a loving God, we would have heard unspeakable things and know we escaped the wo's pronounced by Nephi. You need to figure out what it is that is NOT working in your repentance. 

"through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen"

The 144,000 High priests
Lets talk about the 144,00 High priests. Joseph received the following revelation.

11Q. What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel—twelve thousand out of every tribe? 

A. We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn. (D&C 77:11)

They are ordained by the angels, sealed up as High Priests to gather as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn. These servants gather others that will come. Two phrases I want to bring up.

"ordained unto the holy order of God"
Where are they ordained from? Is this a church ordination or perhaps its the ordination that I have just talked about to be "ordained by God Himself" as all prophets were (TPJS) and "caught up to heaven".

How about the ordaination by God's voice? JST Gen. 14: 28-30.

"by the angels to whom is given power"Who are these angels? Where do they come from? Will others know about these 144,00 if its angels that ordain them?

These 144,00 are given the terms "power" and "angels". Interesting enough its the same type of association as the "Powers of Heaven". Is it this association that keeps us from being burned when the "hosts" come down out of heaven? (Moses 7).

The Four Angels In Heaven Seal the Servants

Revelations 7:1-3 tells us that the four angels are the ones that seal the servants before the final harvest so they will not be burned.

Priesthood Ordination by God's Voice (Holy Order)

42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you. (D&C 84:42)

Put on Thy Strength, O Zion

7 Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?
8 He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost. (D&C 113:7-8)

Awake, Arise
Lets read the version of Isaiah 52:1 in 2 Nephi.

24 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
25 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
 (2 Nephi 8:24)

The reason why Israel cannot build Zion is because they are all asleep, held captive, they won't wake up, and put on "thy strength" or this priesthood. They remain unclean. First step is to Awake. The Next Step is to Arise. The reason why WE cannot build Zion is because WE ARE ASLEEP. "Awake to your awful situation" the scriptures inform us. Awake to your awful state of wickedness. They will not become Sanctified! So that they can be washed from the blood and sins of this generation.

Even though there are some awake, they to must to Arise. While many are asleep, there are a few awake, and even a fewer who do what it takes to Arise. Perhaps a another post I will focus on this more.

Sit Down

And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father; (D&C 20:24)

And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out (Helaman 3:30)

How to Worship 

19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. (D&C 93:1)

Search the scriptures to know how, to know what, that you may come unto the Father. The lectures on faith says without a correct idea of his character, pefections, and attributes we cannot lay hold upon eternal life. Their purpose is to teach us the What, the Book of Mormon also does but also shows us HOW. 

Holy Order: Three Orders: The Priesthood

Holy Order of God or Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.

ORDER:

1
a : a group of people united in a formal way: as (1) : a fraternal society <the Masonic Order> (2) : a community under a religious rule; especially : one requiring members to take solemn vows 
b : a badge or medal of such a society; also : a military decoration 

3
a : a rank, class, or special group in a community or society 
b : a class of persons or things grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics: as (1) : a category of taxonomic classification ranking above the family and below the class (2) : the broadest category in soil classification 

4
a (1) : rank, level <a statesman of the first order> (2) : category, class <in emergencies of this order — R. B. Westerfield> 

5
a (1) : a sociopolitical system <was opposed to changes in the established order> (2) : a particular sphere or aspect of a sociopolitical system <the present economic order> 
b : a regular or harmonious arrangement <the order of nature>

29 Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
30 And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
31 And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. (D&C 88:29-31)

Celestial:
Order of the Father
62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.  (D&C 88:62)

Terrestial:
Order of the Son
 77 These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. (D&C 88:77)

Telestial
Order of the Holy Ghost
86 These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial; (D&C 88:86)

Or the servants of God minister to those of the telestial world.

Ministering Spirits
A Lecture by Joseph Smith, Oct 5 1840. 

Abel and Paul Why he magnified the Priesthood which was confired upon him and died a righteous man, and therefore has become a righteous man an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, therefore holding still the keys of his dispensation and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words & to commit unto him a knowledge of the mysteries of Godliness and if this was not the case I would ask how did Paul know so much about Abel and why should he talk about his speaking after he was dead. How that he spoke after he was dead must be, by being sent down out of heaven, to administer. 

[See Abraham 3:25, they were also sent to administer]

Enoch Gen [5:22] And Enoch walked with God after he begat Mathusalah 300 years and begat Sons and Daughters and all the days of Enoch were 365 years and Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him. Now this Enoch God reserved unto himself that he should not die at that time and appointed unto him a ministry unto terrestrial bodies of whom there has been but little revealed, He is reserved also unto the presidency of a dispensation. and more shall be said of him and terrestrial bodies in another treatise. He is a ministring Angel to minister to those who shall be heirs of Salvation and appered unto Jude as Abel did unto Paul. Therefore Jude spoke of him 14 & 15 verses in Jude. and Enoch the seventh [from Adam] revealed these sayings. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints 

Both these quotes covers two groups of "ministrants".

Oath and the Covenant

33 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.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive thisoath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

Servants is another name for "angelic ministrants". There are both heavenly ministrants or those that are sent (Abraham 3:25) to prove others. Mortal ministrants that have received an assignment from the Lord (2 Nephi 32:6)

Three orders
Order of the angels (Sonso of Aaron, Aarnoic, angels minister or "ministry of angels")
Order of the Son (Sons of Moses, Than Christ ministers)
Order of the Father (Sons of man, Than he presents you to the Father and they take up their abode with you)

Orson Pratt: Different Orders

"WHAT IS THE NAME OF GOD IN THE PURE LANGUAGE?" THE ANSWER SAYS "AHMAN." "WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD?" ANSWER, "SON AHMAN-THE GREATEST OF ALL THE PARTS OF GOD EXCEPTING AHMAN." "WHAT IS THE NAME OF MEN?" "SONS AHMAN," IS THE ANSWER. "What is the name of angels in the pure language?" "Anglo-man." THIS REVELATION GOES ON TO SAY THAT SONS AHMAN ARE THE GREATEST OF ALL THE PARTS OF GOD EXCEPTING SON AHMAN AND AHMAN, and that Anglo-man are the greatest of all the parts of God excepting Sons Ahman, Son Ahman, and Ahman, showing that the angels are a little lower than man. What is the conclusion to be drawn from this? It is, that THESE INTELLIGENT BEINGS ARE ALL PARTS OF GOD, AND THAT THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST OF THE PARTS OF GOD ARE THE GREATEST, OR NEXT TO GOD, AND THOSE WHO HAVE THE NEXT GREATEST PORTIONS OF THE PARTS OF GOD, ARE THE NEXT GREATEST, OR NEAREST TO THE FULNESS OF GOD; AND SO WE MIGHT GO ON TO TRACE THE SCALE OF INTELLIGENCES FROM THE HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST, tracing the parts and portions of God so far as we are made acquainted with them. HENCE WE SEE THAT WHEREVER A GREAT AMOUNT OF THIS INTELLIGET SPIRIT EXISTS, THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OR PROPORTION OF GOD, WHICH MAY GROW AND INCREASE UNTIL THERE IS A FULNESS OF THIS SPIRIT, AND THEN THERE IS A FULNESS OF GOD." (Orson Pratt, 1855, Journal of Discourses Vol 2, page 340) (also partially quoted here)

The Holy Order

This Holy Order is given to those who can abide the law of the celestial kingdom and only them. Here are many scriptures that talk about this holy order (fulness of the piresthood). Notice the qualifications to receive such a priesthood. I have talked a lot about this already in prior posts.

Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things. (2 Nephi 6:2) 

And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy. (Alma 4:20) 

For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come. (Alma 5:44) 

Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance— (Alma 5:54) 

And Alma went and began to declare the word of God unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins, and the holy order by which he was called. And thus it is written. Amen. (Alma 6:8) 

And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received. (Alma 7:22) 

And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of God, by which he had been called; and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek. (Alma 8:4) 

And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people. (Alma 13:1) 

And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest— (Alma 13:6) 

Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end— (Alma 13:8) 

Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish; (Alma 13:10) 

Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. (Alma 13:11) 

But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father. (Alma 13:18) 

Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called. (Alma 43:2) 

Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people. (Alma 49:30)\ 

Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God. (Ether 12:10)

What Is Priesthood? Powers of Heaven

D&C 121:36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness

This is the priesthood. Lets examine this piece by piece. What are these "rights".

9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;
10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father;
11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is,thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal. (Abraham 2:9-11)

Abraham is blessed with "this right" that it shall continue in thee (that is in thy priesthood). What was this right? The right is associated with Abrahams promise. The defintion of "rights" is "entitlement".The promise is that all those who receive "this gospel" shall be called after thy name (Abraham), and shall be accounted thy seed (Abraham). Also it associates "in thee" with "thy seed" with 'thy priesthood". Are these the same thing? Is it that "priesthood" comes from "seed" or "posterity" or "powers'? The right he received was that his seed shall have the blessings of salvation, even life eternal. It was through that right, that his seed or "thy priesthood" would endure.

Lets look at "continue" in D&C 132.

31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.

22 ...narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives [lives, or thy seed, or thy priesthood, this extends not to yourself only but those of your posterity or powers]

19 ...and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.

What are the works of the Father?

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

So the blessings or "entitlements" of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the "powers that are in heaven".  So we use this verse to define "priesthood" often in the church.

Powers that are IN heaven
What are the powers that are in heaven? Lets examine a bunch of scriptures.

Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 

Moses 7:27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion. 

3 Nephi 20:22 And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.

Lets look at some Aposcypha.

[God] spake the word, and they all came into being, Angel, and Archangel, and Cherubim, and Seraphim, and Thrones, and Divine Governors, and Dominions, and all the Powers that are in the heavens, and all the army of heaven. (Discourse of Abbaton, here) 

Do you see how the Powers of Heaven are associated with angels? With the heavenly hosts of God? Or as his name states the Lord of hosts? Another way to phrase this would be the Lord of the Powers of Heaven. Or Lord of "thy seed" or "thy priesthood".

Powers of Satan
This next verse talks about a different type of "powers", those of satan. The 1/3 part that were cast out. Do you see how these angels are associated with "powers". "powers of the earth" or as before it was "powers of heaven".

39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them (3 Nephi 28:39)  

11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined. (D&C 38:11-12)

Lets look at a source written by a Catholic member who pulls from some Apocrypha.

There were defections, probably, from almost every Choir of the heavenly Hierarchies. Saint Paul mentions Principalities and Powersamong the fallen angels, who try to seduce man with their deceits: "Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities and Powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places."[45] As Saint Paul never gives a complete enumeration of all the Choirs of the good Angels at one time, we may surmise that he follows the same rule with the fallen angels. The mention of Principalities and Powers in this passage should not be taken as complete and exclusive, but only as more representative and as implying the great natural power and cunning of our adversaries. Even though deprived of all supernatural grace and superadded gifts, the fallen angels retain their natural power which, in itself, is far superior to the natural power of man. For this reason the Apostle demands that the faithful put on the "armor of God" and "the shield of faith" in order to be able to resist and to conquer. Yet, in view ofthe fact that in another list of fallen angels, the Apostle mentions again only these two Choirs: Principalities and Powers, we believe that the largest number of fallen angels must have come from them. Speaking of Christ's victory over sin and the Devil, Saint Paul says: "Despoiling the Principalities and Powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open show, triumphing over them in himself "[46] (Chapter 3 of the book The Angels, by Pascal P. Parente., here)

The Discourse of Abbaton (cited above) also says this about Satan, or his powers.

"Thou shalt shew compassion neither upon small nor great, and thou shalt carry all away mercilessly. The Powers shall be under thy control, and thou shalt send them after every soul.

Wikipedia states in the article on Christian angelic hierarchy.

The Powers are the bearers of conscience and the keepers of history. They are also the warrior angels created to be completely loyal to God. Some believe that no Power has ever fallen from grace, but another theory states that Satan was the Chief of the Powers before he Fell (see also Ephesians 6:12). Their duty is to oversee the distribution of power among humankind, hence their name. 

Their duty is the distribution of power among human kind. "by the voice of heaven" we receive the power of the priesthood. Or through our connection to these powers (heavenly hosts) we gain Power in the "Priesthood" or thy seed. Or Gods Seed or Abrahams seed. Abraham's Priesthood perhaps than is "Abrahams Powers". It can only be given to us from God Himself.

Lets look at the Book of Enoch and what Hugh Nibley said about Satan. This is published in the Ensign and it was a summary of the book that Hugh Nibley wrote. This is Part 8 of the series.

"God saw that Satan, because of his boundless ambition and total lack of humility, could no longer be trusted with celestial power and commanded the angels to remove him from his office. This ordinance they performed with great sorrow and reluctance: They “removed the writing of authority from his hand. They took from him his armor and all the insignia of priesthood and kingship.” Then with a ceremonial knife, a sickle, they inflicted upon him certain ceremonial blows of death which deprived him of his full strength forever after. (14a.) Other accounts say that after these cuts he retained only one-third of his former power, even as he was followed by one-third of the hosts".
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1976/12/a-strange-thing-in-the-land-the-return-of-the-book-of-enoch-part-8?lang=eng

Hugh Nibley in another source has said Satan was stripped of his power or priesthood "member by member".

Knowledge to Subject Satan

Do you see now how the keys of the kingdom are associated with signs that the elders must know to detect false spirits? Or thist kind of knowledge (keys) are associated with "priesthood"?

I preached in the grove on the keys of the Kingdom, Charity &c The keys are certain signs and words by which false spirits and personages may be detected from true, which cannot be revealed to the Elders till the Temple is completed--The rich can only get them in the Temple, the poor may get them on the mountain top as did Moses. The rich cannot be saved without charity, giving to feed the poor when and how God requires, as well as building. There are signs in heaven, earth and hell: the Elders must know them all, to be endowed with power, to finish their work and prevent imposition. The devil knows many signs, but does not know the sign of the Son of Man, or Jesus.

Or how knowledge ties into this.

A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge for if he does not get knowlede 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. hence it needs Revelation to assist us & give us knowledge of the things of God. What is the reason that the Priest of the day do not get Revelation They ask ownly to consume it upon their lust their hearts are corrupt & they cloak their iniquity by saying that their is no more Revelations But if any Revelations are given of God they are universally opposed by the priest & christendon at large for it reveals their wickedness & abominations

Lets look at one more source.

The POWERS are so called because they have power over the devil, in order to restrain the power of the demons, to repulse the temptations brought upon people by them, and to prevent the demons from harming anyone to the degree that they would wish. The powers strengthen the good ascetics in spiritual struggles and labors, protecting them so that they may not be deprived of the spiritual kingdom. They help those wrestling with passions and vices to cast out evil thoughts and slanders of the enemy and to conquer the devil. (The Holy Angels, here)

The Order of Heaven 

In the scheme of things Jesus Christ is far above these other creations. So Paul knew something about the order in heaven since he had been there in vision. (2 Corinthians 12:3)

Remeber this quote above from the Abbaton?

[God] spake the word, and they all came into being, Angel, and Archangel, and Cherubim, and Seraphim, and Thrones, and Divine Governors, and Dominions, and all the Powers that are in the heavens, and all the army of heaven.

Its giving us a key of the different type of "Powers" in the heavens. There are many scriptures in D&C and the book of Mormon that talk about these different types search them. Post is already too long so I won't do it.

The Gods:
Powers in Heaven...
Micha El
Rapha El
Gabri El
Uri El

El means God.

And the voice of Michael, the archangel; the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of diversangels, from Michael or Adam down to the present time, all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; (D&C 128:21)

Study Abraham 3-4.

Handled by Righteousness
Do you see now why "the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."? We cannot control these "Powers" unless its by "persuasion, longsuffering...". The heavenly hosts are for the most part (but not only) the hosts of the city of Enoch. As soon as we attempt to do anything contrary to the way its meant to be handled we lose the connection to heaven, unless we repent.

The "power" of the angels "over the nations of the earth" (D&C 77: 11) is needed to prevent Zion from being overrun or destroyed by the nations of the earth. These other nations, if they oppose Zion, will be destroyed. (Daniel 2: 31-45; D&C 87: 6.) The "powers of heaven" which will hover over Zion will discourage any army from battling her. (D&C 45: 70.)

This is why Zion cannot be built without the Fulness of the Priesthood. And why so few have ever built up Zion. They were unworthy and incapable of receiving this priesthood. Joseph and Sidney joined the holy angels who stood before God. (D&C 76: 21.) Therefore, they would be among those who "came to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn." (D&C 76: 67.)

Both male and female can have this same fellowship. Do you see what it means to call upon the "Powers of heaven" or to call upon the priesthood of God, because His priesthood are His hosts or "Powers". 

If you didn't get the message
Hood: Neighborhood, motherhood, fatherhood, sisterhood... Its an association of a group of people.

Priesthood is always a relationship between man on earth and the "powers" or hosts of heaven. These angelic or heavenly beings were those who escorted men to the first heavenly Zion (Moses 7: 27), and will do so again.

A Future Seer: Unfulfilled Prophecy

2 Nephi 3 speaks of two seers lets look at them.

6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.
7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choiceseer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers.
8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do noneother work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.

 This first seer here. Shall have no other work except the work which I (the Lord) shall command him to do. He will have power to bring for the word (book of mormon) and restore them to the knowledge of the covenatns which I have made with thy fathers. Which covenants? I have talked about this already. In passing at least.

Title page of the Book of Mormon which was translated from the plates.

Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations (book of Mormon title page, par 2)

You see the Book of Mormon purpose is to bring us to the knowledge of the Covenants of the fathers that we are not cast off forever. WE must turn our hearts (make a covenant with) the fathers who are in heaven or be cast off when the hosts of heaven come again or be burned. Lets look at D&C for one more verse to make this point more concrete.

This shows how important the book of Mormon is in our lives. It teaches us how to return to Gods presence and see him in the flesh.

3 And I have caused you that you should enter into a covenantwith me, that you should not show them except to those persons to whom I commanded you; and you have no power over them except I grant it unto you.
4 And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished. (D&C 5:3-4)

No other gift or work was to be given to Joseph until it was translated. Josephs work was not to bring Zion but this record, the knowledge of the covenants of the fathers. Now lets continue in 2 Nephi 3.

11 But a seer will I raise up [A different one than Joseph] out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins—and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them. 

You see this seer will convince them of the word that has ALREADY gone forth. Joseph brought it forth, but this seer will not only bring it forth but convince them. This is NOT Joseph.

12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;

3 Nephi 16 mentions this restoring of the house of Israel. First in Verse 10 it mentions the Gentiles (that is us right now) will reject the fulness (not if but WHEN).

10 And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.
11 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel [O house of Israel, or back in 2 Nephi 3:13 "restoring thee, o house of Israel"], and I will bring my gospel unto them.
12 And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel. (3 Nephi 16:10-12)

This is a future event. Verse 13 in 3 Nephi:16 states they have a chance to repent after they have rejected and the house of israel gets the gospel. Than if they reject it AGAIN, they will be cast out. This is their second opportunity to repent. We learn here that the "remnant" will survive. The destruction most likely precedes or accompanies Israel getting the Gospel but I won't try to guess this.

Than in Verse 17 states, in This day (the day verse 17 is fulfilled and the Gentiles have all accepted or rejected it, Isaiah will be fulfilled which states:

17 And then the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say:
18 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
19 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. (3 Nephi 16:17-18)

I would highly encourage you to cross reference this with Isaiah 29 and 58. If you wish to look into the Servant Isaiah 49 is a good place which may or may not be the same person here. Lets put one more scripture on this to get a bigger picture of events. 3 Nephi 21 another sermon by the savior. Then compare this with the timing of 3 Nephi 16 with the idea of this future seer in 2 nephi 3.

20 For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that daywhosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel; (Cross Reference 3 nephi 16:10)
21 And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance; (cf. 3 Nephi 16:14)
23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem.
25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.
27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.
28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may begathered home to the land of their inheritance. (3 Nephi 21:20-28))

This is a future date. The work among ALL the dispersed of the Lords people, ALL the missing tribes, and other sheep will be gathered in in THAT day. The day when Jerusalem IS built by the Remnant. This is the exact work of the second seer. As 2 Nephi 3:13 says "in that day when my work shall commence among all my people". Do you see the similarity in the language? The similarity in the words and the timing and patterns here? The second Seer will do this work among all the people, which is YET a future event.

O YE GENTILES! The book of Mormon is definitely a pattern for OUR day.

See JST of Genesis 50. It says the same thing here. Plenty of other verses that go into this too.  Ask yourself what these covenants ARE that you need to be saved. Without them we will burn up.

Meditation

Spirituality . . . is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. In our worship there are two elements: One is the spiritual  communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others. . . . Of the two, the more profitable . . . is the meditation. Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.
—PRESIDENT DAVID O. MCKAY

Joseph Smith said,

It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind. (B.H. Roberts, History of the Church 5:362)

The visions of glory in section 76 were brought about through meditation.

19 And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.
20 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness;

Have you ever tried it? I would highly recommend it.

"A fanciful and flowery and heated imagination beware of; because the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity-thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men." (TPJS p. 137.)

The Covenant Before Baptism

Question Regarding Baptism

Now here is an interesting question regarding baptism and the purpose for it. First lets take a look at three different verses. Three witnesses should be enough right?

Mosiah 18:10
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? 

3 Nephi 7:25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a remission of their sins.

D&C 20:37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end [there's your covenant again as shown in the previous two verses], and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

Why is it in each of these cases the covenant past tense? Why is it they had repented? Had received a remission of their sins which only comes from baptism by fire and the holy Ghost right? Isn't it the Holy ghost that purifies the blood to become clean again? Even as fire? Does baptisms really have the covenant or is the covenant something made and baptism is merely a sign (witness) that one has already entered the covenant?

Most importantly how is it they had received a remission of their sins BEFORE they had even “received the gift of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands” and "baptism by water"?

Baptism prayer

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (3 Nephi 11:25)

Thats it. Nothing in the prayer that relates, a covenant, forgiveness of sins, etc...

So where did this covenant as seen in Mosiah 21 come from if it was not baptism?

31 Yea, they did mourn for their departure, for they knew not whither they had fled. Now they would have gladly joined with them, for they themselves had entered into a covenant with God to serve him and keep his commandments.
32 And now since the coming of Ammon, king Limhi had also entered into a covenant with God, and also many of his people, to serve him and keep his commandments.
33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering himself an unworthy servant.
34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord. Now they were desirous to become even as Alma and his brethren, who had fled into the wilderness.
35 They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts; nevertheless they did prolong the time; and an account of their baptism shall be given hereafter. (Mosiah 21:31-35)