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.