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.

Fulness of the Priesthood

Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage. (Joseph Smith)

The entire gospel of Jesus Christ, the fulness of the gospel, a new and everlasting covenant, Jesus Christ, is about preserving a family, a Father/Son relationship. David lost his kingdom, because he never obtained to the same promise of Abraham. "He never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood".

Fulness of the Priesthood

Fulness of the priesthood (By God’s voice) TPJS, sec. 6, pp. 322–23.

Melchezidek priesthood (Through the lineage of our fathers)

Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood (preparatory gospel)

What was the power of Melchizedek? 'Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that Priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam. (TPJS, Section Six 1843-44, p.322)

Signs one has the fulness:

Answers to prayers: "I restore all things, and make known unto you all things in due time." (D&C 132: 45.) 

 Keys to ask and receive (Hyrum Smith here receiving them) "whereby he may ask and receive." (D&C 124: 95.) 

Nephi: "all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for tho shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." (Hel. 10: 5.)".

The person becomes a true and living church (remember WE ARE The church, the church of the firstborn, D&C 84): "true and living" or has a direct connection to heaven and has the ability to get an answer to any question. No need to speak without revelation. (D&C 1: 30.) 

D&C 28: 7. He had the "keys of the mysteries of the kingdom" 

D&C 64: 5. He held the "keys of the kingdom" 

D&C 81: 2. Joseph had "this greater priesthood [which] admistereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God" 

D&C 84: 19. For Joseph, the fullness was getting answers, solving mysteries and always using revelation to do so".

All things restored that was in the beginning

Speaking of adam referring to this ancient priesthood (fulness of the priesthood),

 7 Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also. Moses 6:7

JS said of this priesthood (fulness of the priesthood) "Go to and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843 B 44, p.323)

Adam-Ondi-Ahman, which means Adam in the presence of God or the Father and the Son.  Its were Adam dwelt in the presence of God. Which we learn when he partook of the fruit he was cast out of the presence of God (face to face).

Question to Jospeh Smith:

"Was the Priesthood of Melchizedek taken away when Moses died? [Answer by JS] 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 was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself." TPJS, pp. 180-81

The two greater priesthoods can be distinguished by the lineage or by "God himself".

D&C 107:48 Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him.

 49 And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated. (Kirtland, Section Year 1835, section about the two higher priesthoods)

So we learn first at 25 he had the priesthood under the hand of Adam (MP) and if we read earlier verses it says "it was handed down" from father to son. At age 65 he was given the fulness of the priesthood.

Joseph saw fit to translate Gen 14 to clarify how this power and priesthood is bestowed.

27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,

 28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;

29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name. (JST Gen 14: 27-28)

Helamen: Power of the Elements

Helamen 10 uses the same words.

3…and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying:

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I [God] declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.

7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people.

Do you see it here? In the presence of his holy angels? Where is this phrase used? Can you reflect in the temple when we do this? Is this what the temple is really pointing you too? We still learn that Moses, with this same power, did in fact sin smiting the rock with his stick when he was told not to for water! But he had consequences for doing so. 

General Charge to the twelve apostles:

You have been indebted to other men, in the first instance, for evidence; on that you have acted; but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven.

Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off your doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us; God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid His hands upon His disciples, why not in latter days?

[Pp. 195–96 in Roberts, B.H., ed. 1976. History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vol. II. 2nd ed. rev. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Company.]

 D&C 76:20 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness;

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 he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

First, we are shown a vision of all the workmanship of the Lord’s hands. This vision often includes the grand events of earth’s history. Moses saw this vision and penned the book of Genesis. Every prophet who records his personal experience with the Lord in any detail includes the “vision of all.” The list is too long to mention them all. John the Beloved recorded a portion of his vision in the book of Revelation. Lehi saw and mentioned his experience [The first page of the Book of Mormon!]. Nephi, inspired by his father’s account, saw and recorded parts of his vision in First Nephi. Mormon saw our day. Moroni wrote to us with prophetic vision because he knew us intimately. Joseph Smith recorded parts of his vision in Section 76 [Which i just partially quoted]. This very thing is typified in today’s temple experience. (John Pontius, Oath & the Covenant, pg 19)

Church History (short version)

Lets move on and talk about some church history.

D&C 124:28 For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood. (Nauvoo, Year 1841)

The saints had lost the fulness. This is just a few years before Joseph was killed, he sought to rebuild the temple to get this priesthood restored. Notice the wording of how it was to be restored "he may come to". For only He can bestow this power and authority. Ever wondered why we have so many symbols in the temple and what they point to?

Temple and Sealing Power:

Three Priesthoods
Not only are these three priesthoods mentioned in Hebrews but are also mentioned in D&C 84. As Pres. Romney stated that the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, is the Endowment received in the temple. (Compilation of quotes by Bruce H. Porter, Patriarchal Priesthood)

Most of the ordinances of the church are not the real thing. They are types, symbols of the real thing. They are official authorized invitations… Any person who has priesthood conferred upon him will need to go into God’s presence, and receive it through the veil for power in their priesthood.

To be Endowed with Power
Purpose of the endowment is to be endowed with power. The endowment is a type of what we must do to get that power.

1 May 1842 (Sunday Morning). Grove.
Manuscript History of the Church
pages 119 - 120 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 one can truly say he knows God {7} until he has handled something, and this can only be in the Holiest of Holies.

16 And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken. (D&C 43:16)

There are no shortcuts, just because you receive a temple ordinance does not mean you are sanctified. The only way to receive this power, this endowment of power, is to be washed pure from the blood and sins of this generation. It will not be "conditional" or "if you are true and faithful" the day you will be called up and anointed kings and priests unto the most high God, but instead you will be called up and converse with Him through the veil while in the flesh.

Peter James and John Endowments

Spencer W Kimbal, as an apostle: As they looked into his kindly eyes and wondered about his wounds, he told them of his birth and ministry. He repeated to them the vital and priceless sermons on the mount, on the Sea of Galilee, in Samaria, in Jerusalem. He taught them the power of faith, of the battle between truth and evil. He told them of the voice of God, his Father, at the time of his baptism, and of the special endowments to Peter, James, and John on the Holy Mount of Transfiguration, when they also heard the voice of God, the Father. (CR, October 1959, pp. 58–59, emphasis added.)\

Clean From the blood and Sins of this Generation

D&C 88

74 And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean;
75 That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I will.

Zion Delayed

D&C 105: 11 And this[redemption of zion] cannot be brought to pass until mine elders are endowed with power from on high.
12 For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.
13 Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion. 

Delayed because they were not sanctified to be endowed with this great "power". To be sanctified. If they were sanctified they would have built up Zion.

Holy Spirit of Promise

"All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise,…are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead" (D&C 132:7)

Kirtland Temple

Many of my brethren who received the ordinance with me saw glorious visions also. Angels ministered unto them as well as to myself, and the power of the Highest rested upon us, the house was filled with the glory of God, and we shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb. My scribe also received his anointing with us, and saw, in a vision, the armies of heaven protecting the Saints in their return to Zion, and many things which I saw. 

The visions of heaven were opened to them also. Some of them saw the face of the Savior, and others were ministered unto by holy angels, and the spirit of prophecy and revelation was poured out in mighty power; and loud hosannas, and glory to God in the highest, saluted the heavens, for we all communed with the heavenly host. And I saw in my vision all of the Presidency in the celestial kingdom of God, and many others that were present. Our meeting was opened by singing, and prayer was offered up by the head of each quorum; and closed by singing, and invoking the benediction of heaven, with uplifted hands. Retired between one and two o'clock in the morning.  (History of the Church, Vol.2,  p.379 ff)

Moses and the Israelites

D&C 84:25 (quick review)

23 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;

 24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure hispresence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

Different Degrees of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, By Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith observed: “God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses. . . . When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man and he refuses to receive it he will be damned. . . . The Israelites [prayed] that God would speak to Moses [and] not to them in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law. . . . [The] law revealed to Moses in Horeb . . . never was revealed to the [children] of Israel.”[2] Thus, the children of Israel wandered an unnecessary forty years in the wilderness as God tried to teach them to rely on Him.

 [2] Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, eds., The Words of Joseph Smith (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1980), 244, 247

Do you see the similarities? God wanted to come to the temple, he wanted to converse with them to give them the fullness of the priesthood.

Oath and the Covenant

Let’s first look at the afterthought of the oath and covenant (Covenant is verses 33-42) the Lord gives us concerning it.

43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

Lets continue.

47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.

Cross ref: John 14:6-7 [Take this literally remember the keys of interpretation thread, read exactly what it says.]

⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
⁷ If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him

The Light of Christ -> Holy Ghost -> Jesus Christ -> The Father.

The servants bear testimony of the Son until we gain manifestations for ourselves through the holy ghost and the holy ghost will perfect us until we gain a perfect knowledge in Jesus Christ. He will introduce us the Father and they will take their abode with us when we are fully prepared.

Christ will introduce us to the Father!

48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant  [He will tell us about this covenant, just like the JS quote about finishing the temple, however i talked about this ancient covenant in my previous covenant, the covenant of the fathers and enoch] which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world. [So we won’t be burned! The covenant of the Fathers. Exactly what the intro to the book of Mormon said that I quoted]

49 And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.

50 And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.

51 For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.

52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.

53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.

54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—

55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
...

57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—

58 That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion.

59 For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.

The same condemnation of those who reject the fullness of the priesthood (see earlier D&C  124). For they cannot endure his presence.

Ok the covenant states:

84:33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods [Fulness of the priesthood is one of them] 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.

This is how we become part of the kingdom of God. This is how we become the Sons of God. this is who are the church of the Firstborn, the church, the sanctified.

35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

Look at this threefold promise, or 3 degrees.

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.

Do you see the connection in verse 38? The Fathers kingdom? The fullness of the Father as shown back in Section 76, 93 and many other places? The continuation of the works of the father (D&C 132). He defines as receiving the Lord as receiving the priesthood.

In the Flesh

Now we come to the truly grand promises of the Priesthood, and the glorious
“rights” of the Priesthood, that through the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood we may have free association with the Son, receive the Father, receive His kingdom, and
ultimately receive all that the Father has.

Let us not twist the meaning of this wording of truth by mentally inserting death.
We are not discussing the eternities, nor the events after this life. The almost unthinkably grand endowment of the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood is to be enjoyed in this life. (John pontius, O&C)

I underlined ultimately because as Section 93, which is how Jesus Christ received the fulness for himself, we can receive the Son, receive this principle and as we continue faithful to all things the Son asks us to do (2 Nephi 32:6) than we will be presented to the Father and they will take up their abode with us.

In all the passages of scripture wherein men and women are promised that they

can see the Lord, nowhere is it even hinted that we must first die to do so. In fact, every

instance in the scripture of man having an interview with God occurred to a mortal

person. We have no record of a post-mortal visitation. Why would there be? Whatever

occurs after death requires no warning; no instruction from the scripture. It just happens however it happens. What we must prepare to accomplish is this grand promise in mortality. This is the focus of the scripture, the burden of the teachings of the prophets, and the nexus of the entire Gospel – the focal point – that to which all other doctrines point. It is the zenith of our faith in God, the pattern of the temple, the purpose of mortality.

…

The purpose of the priesthood isn’t the priesthood, or the labors we perform as a conscientious holder. These are the processes of the priesthood. The purpose of the priesthood isn’t even the ordinances and offices and ordinations. The purpose of the priesthood is to prepare mankind to see God – in this life! (John Pontius, Oath and the Covenant, pg 17-18)

We read in 2 nephi 9,

 40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

 41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

[It’s a key so we are not deceived!]

 42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

Do you see it? He employeth no servant at the Gate. So that WE cannot be deceived. If anyone tells you, you must go through them to receive salvation you are being deceived. Joseph said to teach them correct principles and let htem govern themselves. We are meant to be stewards of our own "house" our own "order" under our Father, Jesus Christ (Ether 4:12)

If anyone tells you only the prophet, apostles, leaders, or some other person can tell you how to get through the gate, or will give you the knowledge you must need to or that we must follow them, putting themselves or others between Christ and YOU, you are being deceived by them. That is priestcraft. It is evil.

Christ is the only WAY. He is the gate keeper, He will save us. NO ONE else. For he is the prototype of a saved being.

Covenant Cannot be Broken

39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.

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.

This is your dispensation what are you going to do with it?

Joseph story is meant to be YOUR story.

James 1:5, Upbraideth NOT. Do you believe Him? He will fix you, he is a carpenter after all, he is your savior after all, he knows how to fix you, he promises you, he will GIVE it to you if you let him. Stop focusing on the things you are not doing. Focus on connecting to heavenly father and everything else will take care of itself.

All you must do it ask and you shall receive, than turn over EVERYTHING to him. Let him do what he knows best for you. Than he will upbraideth not, and give you what is required, if you are not already able to endure his presence. He will set the events required for you to get to the point to receive these blessings. He will thoroughly prove you by the spirit to see if you will give up all things, including your life for Him.

Seeing versus Receiving

Just because you see Christ does not mean you have the power. To get the fulness of the power in the priesthood, one must receive him as the Second Comforter.