Worship & Synagogues: Alma 32

I've touched partilaly on this subject once before. One of the chapters that I often reflect on is Alma 32. It gives a clear definition to what it means to "worship".

2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them.
3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?

Here Alma tells us Worship is prayer. But it is more than this. The coming chapter is about a group of believers being cast out of their own synagagues who used many of their own resources to build them to worship God. Than because of their course apparel are cast out. It states, "because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty" (vs 5). The priests wear "fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing" (1 Nephi 13:7-8). The poor are continuously down trodden and cast out. The Lord tells us the Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto "great banquet" or a feast and in the end He will "bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" because the others would not come when invited. (See Luck 14:15-24).

When Alma and Amulek went among the people they were disgusted with what they saw. When the poor asked them "What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God." (vs 9). Alma responded:

I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only? And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week? I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble. (vs 10-11)

To worship God you do not need a Synagague.

What it means to Worship:
Not only does "worship" mean prayer but it also means "to labor".To worship (Abad) is to serve, or to labor. The word Abad in Hebrew means both "work" and "worship." And this is why the Lord hates idols. People "work" to make them and therefore the work of their hands is what they worship. People "work" to build babylon but it does nothing to bring forth Gods work, NOR does it work to relieve poverty.

So to worship is both "to labor" (and we are to "labor for Zion") and "prayer and give thanks". So when Alma and Amulek teach that men need not only worship in synagogues, they mean there are plenty of other ways to "worship" or "work" or "serve." Alma and Amulek at that time were "worshipping" out in the open. If we are trully worshiping God we do not need a Synagague nor a place to "worship once in a week".

To keep Gods commandments is better translated. "standing at attention waiting for Gods instructions". Because we are listening, we can do the things He asks of us when He does to truly worhsip Him. By heeding His commands, we can become perfect in our right. And the Lord tells us who He is so we know not only WHO we worship but how we are to worship. As it states "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" (D&C 93:19). That is because the Life He lived is the path that we are to follow to "worship". And that can not be done anywhere else except by through becoming like Him and doing His will with "laboring", "prayer" and "thanks.

Few Labor For the Many: Babylon Is Insustatinable:
There is a story around Abraham as recited by Avraham Gileadi that states the following:

"Isaiah and Jeremiah single out something about Babylon that corrupts all, including the Lord’s people. Those who engage in it become “Babylon” themselves and in the end perish with it. This involves the manufacturing, promoting, and selling of idols—the works of men’s hands. 

A story I heard in rabbinic school relates how Abraham’s father, Terah, in the land of Ur of the Babylonians, at times put young Abraham in charge of his store. When Terah, who made and sold idols, went into the forest to fetch wood for their manufacture, Abraham was to sell the idols in his father’s place. Typically Abraham would dissuade buyers, reproving the adults for esteeming statues as gods. One day, fed up with his duty, Abraham smashed all his father’s wares except a large idol that stood on a top shelf. When Terah returned from the forest, he flew into a rage, demanding an explanation. Abraham responded, “The big one did it!” implying that these were no gods at all, or they could have saved themselves. After that, Abraham became unpopular in Ur and the people sought his life. A sequel to this story appears in the book of Abraham, which commences with, “I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence” (Abraham 1:1). 

As Hugh Nibley has often pointed out, the essence of this sort of idol worship is not that people really believed the idols to be gods, but that their manufacture, promotion, and sale provided them with a living. It formed a socioeconomic system that afforded urban dwellers a means of sustenance. One problem with this system lay in its false economic base and the instability it bred—it fed on itself. Economic factors determined social behavior—the law of supply. Manufacturing the works of men’s hands yielded income but constituted idolatry, because what so many people worked at, oriented their lives around, was ultimately nonproductive. The work of idols did not sustain itself, but demanded to be sustained. It enslaved to a false idea not merely those directly involved with it, but also those who produced foodstuffs and raw materials. The latter labored additionally to provide for all the rest.
...
We can thus liken Babylon’s socioeconomic structure to an upside-down pyramid, which, as it grows, ever narrows at its base. In it, the many depend on the few for their support. Babylon’s mass of people, engaged in producing and selling idols, remain out of touch with their life source, rendering them vulnerable to catastrophe. The greatest height to which Babylon attains thus also forms her lowest point of stability. For when, through some unforeseen (divine) intervention, a single stone jars loose from the base, the entire structure collapses." (here)

Elijah Part 3: Words Convey Ideas

First Read Part 1: Promises made to the Fathers
First Read Part 2: The Fathers In Eternal Glory: Future Coming of Elijah: Records

Again this is my current understanding or view of things. I have certainly not figured out nor even pretend to understand it.

I discussed briefly the ideas or characteristics of those who inherit the different degrees in section D&C 76. Each level, telestial, terrestial, and celestial are separated due to what those were willing to receive and by their faith received. We are also told there are various degrees inside of each one.

I have learned that in the scriptures that words mean something. If we take the words literally we could miss out on what the writers are trying to convey. We are stuck to words to convey or represent the spiritual realm and how it behaves with the physical.  But if anyone has tried to convey what an image looks like using words each person would describe it differently but they would all represent the same idea or image. Likewise with the scriptures they have received the revelations of God, received the knowledge of God, and been redeemed to know the path to walk back to God and through words -- many being given the words to use by God -- conveyed that process to us.

The Godhead:
The Lectures on Faith portray an idea of the godhead to us. It defines the Godhead as "the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Further it states.

And [Christ] 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, and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things: by whom all things were created and made, that were created and made: and these three constitute the Godhead, and are one: The Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power and fulness: Filling all in all—the Son being filled with the fulness of the Mind, glory and power, or, in other words, the Spirit, glory and power of the Father—possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom: sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father—a Mediator for man—being filled with the fulness of the Mind of the Father, or, in other words, the Spirit of the Father: (Lecture 5:2)

When your filled with the Holy Spirit your filled with the "mind of God". This is what makes the Father and the Son "One". Are you not one with God if you posses the same mind to do the will of the Father in all things? The Holy Spirit is the mind of God. Also the LOF states the Godhead consists of only "two personages" (ibid) the third, Holy Spirit not being a personage of spirit. Yet the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. (See D&C 130:22). This would mean that the Holy Spirit is not the same thing as the Holy Ghost.

Scriptures:
The scriptures portray the path back to God. The path required of us to walk if we wish to return to God and be redeemed. Each part of the path is portrayed in the scriptures and we must learn it all if we wish to become "precisely like Christ" the prototype of a saved being. For anything unlike Him cannot be saved. This is why we can read the scriptures and learn new insights and new ways to apply something we have never thought of. The Holy Ghost teaches us intelligence and shows how to get to the next "degree". He enlightens us and leaves us to choose and act upon the new found knowledge. If we act according to the new truth, more will be given. As Joseph declared:

“We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with Him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment.” (TJS, Chapter 17)

One begins to see the overall picture. Not just parts or pieces but how it all fits together. We begin to see others, including ourselves, as God sees us. In reality the Scriptures all talk about one idea (Christ - Prototype of a Saved Being) but the idea takes a lifetime to understand or become, along with being bestowed according to our "heed and diligence" its a great process to learn it all. We cannot be saved without revelation.

Zion: Clear As The Moon, Fair As The Sun:
The Godhead portrays the idea of who God is and what He is like. The scriptures show us how to become like Him and what His character and attributes are. We are also told Zion are the pure in heart. They are One. They are of one Mind, both the Father and the Son. LOF shows that means they all posses the same mind of God or the Holy Spirit.

Zion includes those who are "clear as the moon, fair as the sun". D&C 5 states,

“And to none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness—clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” (vs 5)

This description, "clear as the moon, fair as the sun", will show up another time in the dedicatory prayer to the Kirtland Temple in section 109. It is a description of the Lord's Church. The Lord's Church is “clear as the moon, fair as the sun.” The words "clear as the moon" means they meet the description that is given in Doctrine and Covenants section 76 describing those who have the glory of the moon as their inheritance. "Fair as the sun" is described in Doctrine and Covenants section 76, and describes those who will inherit the celestial glory. That is how He describes His Church. And they will be the only ones who will be able to stand at his coming.

So we have another idea portrayed with words representing a group of people who ascended above the Telestial world. And those who minister for those in the terrestrial glory is the Son, meaning the Son of God. (D&C 76: 77) Who intends to make many sons of God. And in the celestial glory the fullness of the Father dwells. ( D&C 76: 92) And so the Church which He owns, which He calls "mine," that He intends to bring out of the wilderness of darkness and confusion and into the light by which they can understand things of God is necessarily composed of those who have sufficient knowledge to be “clear as the moon, fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.".

Sufficient Knowledge:

“Now, what I am after is the knowledge of God, and I take my own course to obtain it. What are we to understand by this in the last days? In the days of Noah, God destroyed the world by a flood, and He has promised to destroy it by fire in the last days: but before it should take place, Elijah should first come..." (History of the Church, 6:251–53)

"It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance" (D&C 131:6)
"A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge.” (TJS, Ch. 22)

 The TJS Chapter 22 relates a story of the School of the Prophets by Joseph which states,

At the meeting of the school held on March 18, 1833, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were set apart as the Prophet’s counselors in the First Presidency. Afterward, the Prophet “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.” 

The Prophet explained, “Great joy and satisfaction continually beamed in the countenances of the School of the Prophets, and the Saints, on account of the things revealed, and our progress in the knowledge of God.”

Knowledge is directly tied to the things of God. They progressed in the knowledge of God from interacting with heaven. Receiving from behind the veil those things required for our salvation. We get Knowledge by Revelation.

Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:18-19)

Knowledge Through Faith: Brother of Jared
A Promise is given to us in the Book of Mormon.

And in that day that they[us] shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. (Ether 4:7)

It was these revelations that Jared received that the Lord could tell him "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you." (Ether 3:13 ) That is redemption. To be brought back into the presence of God.

All My Revelations:
"The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God" (Woodruff Journal, Words of Joseph Smith, p.327-336) The Spirit of Elijah's role, consists of "the keys of the revelations" (ibid). Likewise the "Lord will reveal priesthood by hand of Elijah:" D&C 2:1 .

Now how is priesthood connected with knowledge or revelation which is connected to God who is light and truth? The Knowledge of God encompasses all of this. The Priesthood of God is merely an association with the powers of heaven or as D&C 121 says "the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven" (vs 36). Having an association with this higher order is by definition priesthood. "Powers of Heaven" being the "Hosts" of heaven. And by the "power of my Son" the Father created the world. If you want to retain that association you are required to use the only restraints given to you "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;" (vs 41), which describes how God interacts with us.

This is why Aaronic priesthood contains the "keys of ministering angels". Its an order that raises you to become Terrestial if you will receive it to receive a greater association, greater knowledge, and greater priesthood. And the Holy Order spoken of in Alma 13, is received by God Himself. Where knowledge is bestowed, or the "power of Godliness". What further makes this important is that In conjunction with making your calling and election sure, the Lord grants this privilege of asking and receiving. The Fullness of the Priesthood, an association with the Father, contains the "keys to ask and receive" (D&C 124:95). These keys allows ones to receive greater revelations from God. An upward spiral, representing eternal progression.

Spirit of Elijah:
Since the Spirit of Elijah contains the ability to bestow all of Gods revelations we can also see that as promised by Ether 4:7 that its only withheld due to our faith or unbelief. Likewise this same spirit contains the Sealing power over the elements as discussed in Helamen 10 given"unto thee in the presence of mine angels" (vs 6). Meaning they already have or will have an association with "angels".

Joseph described three parts of this power. First, us, the living, are required to do work using Elijah‘s guidance. Second, the "fathers which are in heaven" to whom we must have a bond to avoid being wasted at the Lord‘s return. Third, "our dead" who are intended to benefit from our connection and qualify to be resurrected into a saved line of priestly authorities stretching through us to the "fathers which are in heaven." We must be sealed to "the fathers which are in heaven" in order to be saved. "Our dead" must be redeemed and sealed to us, that they may also inherit eternal life with us. Doing a sealing between our dead and ourselves, however, is not enough and only connects two of the three groups together. Until we are also connected to the third group, that is "our fathers which are in heaven," we remain vulnerable to being "utterly wasted at His coming."

The scriptures portray one great image and I have learned a lot just from writing some of those images the Lord has helped me receive that I am still processing. The Spirit of Elijah can be received by all here now.

Part 4: Conclusion: Parable Of Lazarus and the Rich Man

Elijah Retrospective: Learning from the past: Purpose of Temples

First Read Part 1: Promises made to the Fathers
First Read Part 2: The Fathers In Eternal Glory: Future Coming of Elijah: Records
First Read Part 3: Words Convey Ideas
First Read Part 4: Conclusion: Parable Of Lazarus and the Rich Man

Joseph clarified the relationship on priesthood.

“Answer to the question, Was the Priesthood of Melchizedek taken away when Moses died? All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face [Fulness of the priesthood per D&C 84:20-23] was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained [Aaronic Priesthood]. All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself.” (Teachings, pp. 180–81.) 

The reasons for their failure is outlined in D&C 84.

Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his angerwas kindled against them, swore that they should notenter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; (vs 23-25)

Learning From the Past: Nauvoo Temple:

Joseph said what happens when the fulness of the priesthood priesthood is lost.

It is in the order of heavenly things that God should always send a new dispensation into the world when men have apostatized from the truth and lost the priesthood, but when men come out and build upon other men's foundations, they do it on their own responsibility, without authority from God; and when the floods come and the winds blow, their foundations will be found to be sand, and their whole fabric will crumble to dust. (Joseph Smith, Sermon at the Grove)

When there is a people worthy to be in the presence of God, Elijah can come and fulfill his role, We can build a temple, that is acceptable by God where He can "come to and restore again" (D&C 124:28) the priesthood and those ordinances that can seal the family of God together. We can be "endowed with power from on high" (D&C 105:11) or restore again that authority which prevents Zion from coming. Preparing the world for His return in Glory, if it were not so the world would be utterly wasted at His coming because "without this[priesthood] no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." (D&C 84:22)

Joseph laments about the problem the saints had while trying to build that temple. He states,

I would to God that this temple was now done that we might go into it & go to work & improve our time & make use of the seals while they are on the earth & the Saints have none to much time to save & redeem their dead, & gather together their living relatives that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten & the Consumption decreed falls upon the world. (WJS, Willard Richards Diary, p 318)

Joseph lamented that the seals were still, with him on the earth. But he noted that the Saints should be making use of them, in the Temple, while they are [yet] on the earth. It implies, of course, that the available time was drawing to an end. That the haste required by the Lord (See D&C 124: 26, 31) to have the Nauvoo Temple built was because a real threat existed that these seals were going to be lost to the Saints. (vs 32) The consequence of failing to have these things accomplished while the seals were on the earth was that the earth will be smitten (See D&C 2: 3) and the consumption decreed (See D&C 87: 6) would fall upon the world.

Joseph continued in the same lecture and stated why they had failed connecting it with the inability to receive or understsand knowledge (remember Elijah role is connected with the revelations of God),

Their has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation it has been like splitting hemlock knots with a Corn doger for a wedge & a pumpkin for a beetle, Even the Saints are slow to understand I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God will fly to pieces like glass as soon as any thing Comes that is Contrary to their traditions, they Cannot stand the fire at all, How many will be able to abide a Celestial law & go through to receive their exhaltation I am unable to say but many are Called & few are Chosen. (WJS, pg 319)

The Saints of that day were unwilling to hear from Joseph about these doctrines. Therefore they left us with a single version of his talk about this most important subject, given on January 7, 1844. Joseph would be dead six months later. The catastrophe of his death was, of course, unanticipated by them at the time. Therefore their indifference may seem somewhat excusable. When, however, the importance of the topic is weighed in the balance, how is anyone to conclude that either they, or we, are excused from careful, solemn and ponderous investigation into this topic? Even if considering it causes us to fear, we should trust that a loving Heavenly Father will not leave us in the dark about such matters. And, of course, the first step to repenting and reclaiming what God offers is always to awaken and arise from your pitiful condition lying in the dust. To repent, and return to Him will always allow us to regain His grace. But unless we awaken, we are not in a position to even attempt to repent. We don‘t know we need to! We remain in our slumber, lying in the dust, unredeemed, unawake, and without understanding which might have saved some few of us.

From the lost of the fulness or the lack of willingness to receive it, there was a change of ordinances. And as Joseph said anytime you the priesthood changes or is forfeited, apostasy occurs and anew dispensation is required.

There is a new dispensation begun, Today. All old things have beend one away and become new. (See 3 Nephi 12) You must accept the ordinances of this new Light or you cannot hope to progress to know God. God always sends messengers once a susceptible amount of time has passed giving to a new generation another offer to know God and allowing them to receive the same rights and privileges of the Fathers which Abraham had sought after. If they succeed Zion will come, if they fail, the Lord as Joseph frequently taught will find someone else who is willing to receive it.

Elijah Shall Come Down: Temples
While the Spirit of Elijah will help prepare the way for the Lords return, Elijah shall come down from heaven the same way he descended accompanied by the city of Enoch. (See JST Genesis 9: 21-25). His role is to restore those ordinances which will seal the Family of God together.

The following are some quotes taken from a talk about the purpose of Temples.

"We think the temples are primarily a place for work for the dead. But temples are required mainly to organize the living into a family. The organization cannot happen outside a temple. That is the only place God will allow the restoration, rites, ordinances, and covenant to be ministered. Heaven and earth will reunite and angels will attend to many of the required things when an acceptable temple has been built. We think a temple can be built following a pattern based on current ordinances. There is no understanding of the ordinances necessary to organize the family of God again." (See Denver Snuffer Polygamy Talk)

"All of the work that gets done for the dead sealing yourself to your dead ancestors (as of they could take you anywhere other than to join them in death), is the inverse of the model Joseph was establishing. Joseph had people sealed to him because he had formed a link to heaven. Sealing your kindred dead as your superior puts you in the spirit world living with the dead: unredeemed, unresurrected, unreturned to the flesh, where you, like your kindred righteous dead (if you have any), can preach to the people who are in prison. But that will never get you up Jacob’s ladder to the presence of God. It won’t even get you out of the grave." (ibid)

"As a living mortal you can have an association with the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn (a priestly reference that requires you to understand about the “rights of the fathers” [and trait of those who attain to a celestial nature] ) here, now. If you do this you become one of those solitary souls who live as a stranger and sojourner on earth. Your association is with heaven, not with earth. But that does not fulfill the prophecies and covenants regarding Zion. You can have the same kind of life but if it is your life alone if you live without bringing others with you. You will live without a city, a community, all things in common, no poor among that community, a temple, rites, and the completion of the restoration of all things. You may have a life worthy of Zion, but it will not be a City of Zion, the New Jerusalem. You can be a “citizen” but you will be a sojourner in exile here." (ibid)

"The sons of Adam who were named were descended in a direct line from Adam. All of those sons held the same Patriarchal Priesthood, at the same time as their father Adam. There was not a “single individual” who held priesthood. But in each generation, from Adam until Noah, there was one who stood at the head of that generation. This direct line were the Patriarchal heirs, and stood in the position of the Patriarch for that generation. When that is here, then only one on earth occupies the role for the generations. Joseph Smith obtained that status, and it passed to Hyrum. The first seven generations of Patriarchs all held exactly the same priesthood and lived concurrently. Gentiles, in their pride, always want to be “top-dog.” They are unwilling to be saved in the Kingdom of God unless they, like Lucifer, can be at the top of the sides of the north sitting on the Throne of God. Fools all. No comprehension of how great a price will be required to ascend there. Utterly forgetting that you must be “exactly” like the “prototype of the saved man” to be there." (ibid)

Elijah Conclusion: Parable Of Lazarus and the Rich Man

First Read Part 1: Promises made to the Fathers
First Read Part 2: The Fathers In Eternal Glory: Future Coming of Elijah: Records
First Read Part 3: Words Convey Ideas

I think that Christ was deliberate about everything He said during His ministry, including the analogies He used in the stories He told. When Christ took occasion in the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, to tell us about the status of individuals in heaven, we should take careful note. When the beggar Lazarus died, he was "carried by the angels into Abraham‘s bosom." (Like 16:22) Lazarus leaves this world accompanied by angels, and is taken to Abraham‘s bosom. The definition of reward in the afterlife is to go to "the bosom of Abraham."

The rich man dies and is in torment. But Jesus does not tell us the rich man cried out to God for relief, instead Christ has the tormented man cry out to Abraham. (vs 24)  When Jesus is describing positions of authority in the afterlife, He uses Abraham as the key to relief from torment. The deceased looks to Abraham‘s position and knows there is relief there. The man petitions: "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." (vs 24) Ask yourself if being connected to "the fathers which dwell in heaven" or, in other words Abraham (among others) is any clearer a topic from the roles Christ uses to teach us in this parable.

It continues: "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received the good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou are tormented." (vs 25) There is an equation. Everything will balance. You rich people had good before, but allowed Lazarus to suffer from evil you could have relieved. Now it is put back into balance. In the immediate afterlife you get to suffer, so you may understand the error of your way. You may at last understand how charity is critical to make the universe whole. See, if you are one who chooses to inflict tears (or even ignore tears you might have wiped away), then that will be recompensed to you. And if you wipe away tears, from others, that will be returned to you as well. Because what will be restored unto you is exactly, as we began with Alma, what you send out. It is an equation after all. (Alma 41:14) (See Elijah Reconsidered)

Conclusion:
Joseph wanted the Saints to enter into the Lord‘s presence. He began to set up the Temple rites, including beginning the endowment above his red brick store. The endowment instructs the initiated in the path back to the presence of God. However, he died before the saints completed the required Temple for the Lord to come and restore the fullness. It is clear however that Joseph anticipated there would eventually be more added to the Temple. In fact, he connected Elijah‘s mission not just to sealing, but also to everything including animal sacrifice. (See October 5, 1840, Joseph Smith Papers, Instruction on Priesthood)

Concerning the priesthood, we read in Moses 6: 7: "Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also." When you add the promise that the same priesthood will return together with Christ‘s comment "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be," you have something noteworthy. The "days of Noah" overlapped the time of Enoch. Enoch‘s City survived the flood of Noah by fleeing. This time, however, because of Elijah‘s coming ministry, there will be those who escape the upcoming fiery ordeal by connecting with heaven in advance. They will not be "wasted at His coming" because they are able to endure His presence.

‘It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week, or any other time. …’ (Teachings, p. 9.)

We need to rend the veil of unbelief as did Ether to receive "all the revelations of God" and when a group begins to rise up to receive these things they will know the father hath remembered the covenants or promises which he has made with the fathers (ie. Abraham).

Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel. (Ether 4:15)

To keep the commandments more accurately means to "watch for every communication I will send". To watch is to be on the watchtower and be prepared for His future coming. Only those who watch, receive His instructions, and heed them will be saved.