Declare These Things Part 2

I planned on making this post longer but I haven't gotten around to it. Maybe I will add a third part later. I didn't take the time deserved for this but wanted to get it out there.

3 keys to discern true messengers.
1st:  True messengers declare the source of their message
2nd: They prophecy
3rd: Message comes with power like Abinadi, Alma, King Benjamin, etc...

I would also add, they don't need to claim any authority, for truth stands independent. All one needs is the truth given to them by the power of the Holy Ghost.

In part one I brought up many examples of different prophets declaring where their message came from and the fruits of their message. Abinadi declared his message to be from the Lord, so did King Benjamin, the people of Helamen 5 declared their message to be from an angel, the people in 3 nephi, the appearance of Christ to those gathered, declared their message to be from Christ and that they had seen Him. Nephi declared his authority was given him and the words which he had spoken by the power of the holy ghost. All these messengers declared they had either Seen Him or Seen angels.

In the lecture by Oliver Cowdery (see part 1) he told the saints to tarry at kirtland until their ordinations were complete and God had laid their hands on their head. As all prophets received the Melchizedek Priesthood from God Himself (Fulness of the Priesthood not by descent of man, remember there are 3 degrees of priesthood only the lesser two are normally brought up) Joseph made the following comment on missionary work.

It is not the multitude of preachers that is to bring  about the glorious Millenium! but it is those who  are “Called, and chosen, and faithful.”  

Let the elders be exceedingly careful about un necessarily disturbing the and harrowing up the  feeling of the people. Remember that your busi ness is, to preach the gospel, in all humility and  meekness, and warn sinners to repent and come  to Christ. Avoid contentions and vain disputes  with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire  to know the truth. Remember that “it is a day  of warning, and not a day of many words,” If they  receive not your testimony in one place, flee to another, remembering, to cast no reflections,  nor throw out any bitter sayings. If you do  your duty. it will be just as well with you,  as though all men embraced the gospel. 

Be careful about sending boys to preach the  gospel to the world; if they go, let them be accom panied by some one who is able to guide them in  the proper channel, lest they become puffed up,  and fall under condemnation and into the  snare of the Devil: finally, in these critical times,  be careful; call on the Lord day and night.  (Joseph Smith Papers, History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834], pg 401)

I would like to re-quote this phrase: "it is those who are “Called, and chosen, and faithful.” that will bring about the millennium. These are they who have communed with the general assembly of God, these are they who are kings and priests unto God, these are they who have received the fulness of the father and have been endowed with power. (D&C 76:62-70) Or as Oliver Cowdery said they have completed their ordinations and God has laid His hand upon them or bestowed this power by the "voice of God".
As well in that same lecture, the early apostles were commanded to bear testimony that they have seen the face of God and have had Him minister to them. As Joseph said you can only elevate those when you are on higher ground. Along with all the scriptural references I have shown in part 1.

The early leaders were very clear on their witnesses of Jesus Christ. Brigham Young shared the desires of his heart as president of the church for 11 years  (Became president in 1847).

I have flattered myself, if I am as faithful as I know how to be to my God, and my brethren, and to all my covenants, and faithful in the discharge of my duty, when I have lived to be as old as was Moses when the Lord appeared to him, that perhaps I then may hold communion with the Lord, as did Moses. I am not now in that position, though I know much more than I did twenty, ten, or five years ago. But have I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No, - though I hold myself in readiness that he can wield me at his will and pleasure. If I am faithful until I am eighty years of age, perhaps the Lord will appear to me and personally dictate me in the management of his Church and people. A little over twenty years, and if I am faithful, perhaps I will obtain that favour with my Father and God. (Journal of Discourses, 7:243. Brigham Young, September 1, 1859, here)

He desired to hold communion with the Lord (General assembly of God, See D&C 76) so that the Lord could dictate personally the "management of his Church". Six Years later and he was 17 years as president at this time. 

And what shall we say of our Heavenly Father? He is also a man in perfection, and the father of the man Jesus Christ, and the father of our spirits; He lives far above the influence and power of sin, and holds in his hands the destinies of all. We have not seen the person of the Father, neither have we seen that of the Son; but we have seen the children of the Father, and the brethren of the Savior, who are in every way like them in physical appearance and organization. Although mankind of the same color look alike, yet there exist expressions of the features by which one person can be distinguished from another. The human family all resemble one another in the main characteristics of humanity, and all resemble the Savior who died for us; and could we see him in the flesh, as he appeared to the ancients, we should very likely find that some men are more like him that others in feature and form, as we often see men who are more like Joseph Smith than others are. (Journal of Discourses 11:42. Brigham Young, January 8, 1865, here)

Joseph Smith & Sidney Rigdon
It seems we have not an equal to one like unto Moses since Joseph.

21 And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That helives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice [Is this what it means to receive the priesthood by His voice] bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— (D&C 76:21-23)

Pure in Heart Shall See God: School of the Prophets

"I exhorted the brethren to faithfulness and diligence in keeping the commandments of God, and gave much instruction for the benefit of the Saints, with a promise that the pure in heart should see a heavenly vision; and after remaining a short time in secret prayer, the promise was verified; for many present had the eyes of their understanding opened by the Spirit of God, so as to behold many things . . . Many of the brethren saw a heavenly vision of the Savior, and concourses of angels, and many other things, of which each one has a record of what he saw." (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 1:333)

Tokens follow those that believe 

This winter [1832–33] was spent in translating the Scriptures; in the School of the Prophets; and sitting in conferences. I had many glorious seasons of refreshing. The gifts which follow them that believe and obey the Gospel, as tokens that the Lord is ever the same in His dealings with the humble lovers and followers of truth, began to be poured out among us, as in ancient days. (History of the Church, 1:322.)

Brother Knights Witness

He saw heaven opened and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, sitting [at] the right hand of the Majesty on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the time would come when he should be admitted into his presence to enjoy his society for ever and ever. (Joseph Smith Papers, History, circa June–October 1839 [Draft 1], pg 388, here)

This witness shows how open the early members were and how Joseph did not restrict others from testifying of these experiences. Joseph included it in the early history of the saints. This experience happened in the home where the early saints church meetings were held. He had received his calling and election made sure since he was promised by Gods voice "to enjoy his society for ever and ever".

Nor was any of these witnesses "too sacred".

Endowment: Keys/Key Words: Women Bless the Sick: False Spirits

How are Keys and the Endowment related? 

95 That he [Hyrum] may act in concert also with my servant Joseph; and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery; 

97 Let my servant William Law also receive the keys by which he may ask and receive blessings; let him be humble before me, and be without guile, and he shall receive of my Spirit, even the Comforter, which shall manifest unto him the truth of all things, and shall give him, in the very hour, what he shall say.

What kind of keys are given by "showing" something? Knowledge.

It's significant that Joseph's role is limited to "showing" keys. It was up to Hyrum to use those keys to obtain the "priesthood" required for his calling, in process of which he would be shown things by God. So, while Hyrum was ordained by Joseph to the First Presidency 6 days after this revelation was received, no amount of Joseph laying on hands could give Hyrum the authority he needed. It could only come by being "chosen, called up, and anointed a king a priest".

In prior posts I have brought up this quote by Joseph Smith.

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.

No wonder why both male and females can hold the "keys" of the priesthood (D&C 132:64), as they are knowledge and can only be "shown" unto you. That women can also administer unto the men. (D&C 132:64). I don't wish to focus on the "female" aspect of this but will show a few quotes to persuade this is correct.

Women Blessing the Sick

Some of you, ladies, that go abroad from house to house, blessing the sick, having your little circles of women come together, why are you troubling yourselves to bless and lay your hands on women, and prophesy on them, if you do not believe the principle? (Heber C. Kimball Journal of Discourses, 5: 176 - 177.)

Why do you not live so as to rebuke disease? . . . it is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders. (Brigham Young, 14 Nov. 1869, JD 13:155.)

Prest. Smith continued the subject (of healing the sick by the laying on of hands) by adverting to the commission given to the ancient apostles "Go ye into all the world" . . . No matter who believeth; these signs such as healing the sick, casting out devils . . . should follow all that believe whether male or female. He ask'd the Society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke that werein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority which is conferr'd on them--and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on. . . . Respecting the females laying on hands, he further remarked, there could be no devil in it if God gave his sanction by healing-- that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water. It is no sin for any body to do it that has faith, or if the sick has faith to be heal'd by the administration.... President Smith then offered instruction respecting the propriety of females administering to the sick by the laying on of hands. (Joseph Smith, Relief Society on April 28, 1842, Recorded by Eliza R Snow)

Charles W. Penrose, issued a statement answering a list of questions regarding women anointing and ministering to the sick.

4. Have the sisters the right to administer to sick children?
Answer: Yes; they have the same right to administer to sick children as to adults, and may anoint and lay hands upon them in faith. (Charles W. Penrose)

3 February 1854: His father and mother [Phoebe Carter Woodruff] laid hands upon him and blessed him and dedicated him unto the Lord.(Wilford Woodruff's Journal (4:244).)

Endowment: Sign of the Holy Ghost
The book of Abraham Facsimile 2 has the following picture with an explanation written by Joseph Smith. Compare number 7 with the image.

7. Represents God sitting upon his throne, revealing through the heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove.

This key represents the sign of the holy Ghost. When one receives this key than is it a representation of the one who receives the Holy Ghost? What is the key? What is the figure doing? Is this similar to something in the temple? Is that what the temple is really trying to convey to YOU? Is this what it points to you? If so what are the other key words representing for you to do? If this key is the one used to detect false personages is this why Moses made the following comment in the scriptures?

15 Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory[Holy Ghost left or was not "present"], for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve. 16 Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not; for God said unto me: Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten. (Moses 1:15-16)

Is this what Joseph really meant when he told us to use this key (token) to detect false personages? If this key represents receiving the Holy Ghost, do you really receive it in the endowment? Or do you receive it when you fulfill the "covenants" required to receive it (qualify for it)? If its done this way, and the endowment shows us the path back to God, our person journey representing the things we must receive, than we should figure out what the other components are, and determine where we are at in the journey to continue and draw closer to God.

Key by Showing:
What kind of thing can be received by seeing, given by showing?

Knowledge.

See my post here: Keys of The Kingdom