Synagogues: Places of Worship: Chosen Generation

Alma and Amulek went to preach the gospel among a group of people. The following verses are taken from Alma 32. Remember what Nephi said to do "liken all things unto us".

1 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets.
2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel—
3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as  dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart.

These believers were cast out of the place were they went to worship. And are we not supposed to attend all our meetings to be temple worthy? So I hear.

The people ask the following question.

...for they[the priests] 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; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do? (vs 5)

Here is what Alma tells the people.

9 Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?
11 And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week? (vs 9-11)

 In verse 12 Alma says "it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; ". Even though they had lost their places of worship, it was well for them as it made them humble and learn wisdom. For Alma knew, they could worship God outside these synagogues.

Alma continues on his discourse about Faith. In Chapter 33 he continues talking about places of worship.

2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye couldnot 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?

Alma tells them if you think you cannot worship outside of your synagogues than you do err and do not understand the scriptures. What an alarming thing to say. We should apply this to ourselves. Than where di the "attend all your meetings" come from to be temple worthy? Likewise he relates worship with prayer. Is it that worship is a form of prayer not a place? "Meet together oft" with prayer and fasting.

Prayer a form of Worship
Lets see what Alma says concerning prayer and worship.

4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.
9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.
10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.

Even when they were cast out the Lord still heard their cries, their worship. The enemies were brought under a speedy destruction for casting out the righteous, for it is because of the righteous they were not destroyed (Alma 33:10, Helamen 13).

The lord hears our cries wherever we are. We can worship him in all places and we should do so every day, not once a week. The people in the synagogues had turned to fine apparel, looking down upon those who did not dress "with their sunday best". Do we fall into this same trap? Just because someone does not attend their meetings that they are Less Active. We label people immediately. Thus we are judging them which we are commanded not to do. These are the consequences for a group of people that teach the law of Moses. They constantly label what people "are" by the list of things to do or not to do, and judge anyone different as "unrighteous" or "unwanted" or in need of "rescue". Good thing God looks at the inner heart, not the outward appearance and he cannot be deceived.

The word religion is hardly used in the scriptures. The word used is Worship. After all a religion implies there are more than one belief. There are "many religions' thus differences of beliefs. Many in the last day will say "lo here, or lo there'

Caution given to the Twelve Apostles
The savior said to the twelve.

16 ¶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 

18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 

19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 

20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Matthew 10:16-20)

Their own places of worship they would be scourged for what they taught. Whenever the truth is taught it brings persecution. Even among those who claim to believe in the truth.

Amulek: Is this All?
In Chapter 34 he gives two more pieces of advice. After talking about the different places one can pray, like Alma had previously said, he says the following.

28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.

This is exactly why Isaiah says their solemn assemblies were an abomination because they forsook these things. He said, if they would do these things, than their solemn assemblies would be acceptable. (Isaiah 1; 58) We should not suffer the begger to put his petition up in vain for are we not all beggers? (Mosiah 3-4)

Charity to All
Next he says, have charity for them that persecute you.

40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;
41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

Meetings Conducted by the Gift of Tongues 
Things have changed quite a bit in the way meetings are conducted. Now we have correlation tell us which two lessons of a president we will talk about, the stake which fourth lesson on General Conference, and that leaves if we are lucky one lesson a month on the scriptures. The most correct book.

Not to mention talks are assigned ahead of time. Here are some examples of how meetings used to be conducted.

What was meant by "tongues" in this early day is not always apparent. But David Whitmer's comment as related by his brother John to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery suggests that it was not necessarily what today often passes for this gift among various charismatic groups. Whitmer wrote: "Br. David says he can speak in all the tongues on earth. We shall probably begin to worship here [Missouri] in tongues tomorrow" [John Whitmer to Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith, July 29, 1833, LDS Archives.]' 

The manifestation of this gift among the Latter-day Saints became very widespread at this period. Particular mention of this was made in July 1833 by a Jackson County vigilante mob who demanded that the Mormons leave the region. Entire meetings were conducted by speaking "in tongues." Almon Babbit's example was typical: 

"Elder Babbit then stepped upon a large stone that was near [during a baptismal service] and spoke in tongues. . . when he had ceased speaking, he then gave the meaning thereof, which was so beautiful, and so filled with the Spirit of God, that every eye was wet with tears." [Margrette Young autobiography, LDS Archives.] The appearance of this gift decreased somewhat among the Latter-day Saints in the years following the Kirtland era but during the nineteenth century it was a relatively frequent part of LDS Church meetings. [JD 10:324] However, President Young apparently found such exercises somewhat dangerous to the stability of the Church by the time the Salt Lake Valley was colonized. (Source here)

Why did Young feel it was unstable?

Meetings Conducted by the Spirit

And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done. (Moroni 6:9)

When was the last time you even deviated at all from the normal sacrament?

Zion becomes Corrupted:
In 4th nephi they had developed a Zion community. They were living the higher law. Look at one of the first signs of apostasy.

25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.

Why did they build up many churches? Were there not churches before? How did they deny the true church of Christ? How did they deny the more parts of the gospel? Is it enough to not teach it to deny it?

Perverting the Right way of the Lord 
The wicked priests in Mosiah 12.

25 And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses.

If ye understand these things, ye have not taught them thus perverting the right way of the lord. They have denied the more parts of the gospel. Second they had not applied their hearts to understanding the scriptures, therefor they do not understand the more parts of the gospel and are perverting the right way of the Lord.

Awful was their state for not understanding the scriptures. They had wrested the scriptures at their own salvation

Rameumptom.

Alma Chapter 31 explains why Alma and Amulek preached among the people I will post out two reasons.

10 Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation.
11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his brethren went into the land to preach the word unto them.

Thinking we Are Righteous 

21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand. 

22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.

 Fine Apparel

28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

This is why Alma and Amulek went to preach unto them that perhaps they may bring them unto the truth. Those that listened were those that were poor, or those that were compelled to be humble because of their afflictions.

He who Exalteth Himself shall be abased.

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified ratherthan the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:10-14)

We are all sinners. None of us are better than anyone else.

Called a Choosen Generation 
 Why is that the "chosen generation" among them were actually those that were wicked? Why was it that the Lord came among the chosen people (Jews) and called them His people, yet they were the 'more wicked part" of the world?

Was it so the Lord could teach them, even those who are most wicked are still considered to be His people? If only they will repent?

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (2 Peter 1:9)

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:2 )

The chosen generation are those that are being called out from darknes into his marvelous light. Its up to us, the choosen generation to accept that light and not reject it. Or will we be like those on the Rameumpton and explain, bless us for being a chosen generation (when we are really wicked) and the others are not.

The Jews are the More Wicked Part 

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.
4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their God.
5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified. (2 Nephi 10:3-5)

Interesting enough those that have the gospel preached among them, were the more wicked part of the world. Yet in 2 peter they are the "chosen generation". Perhaps this is what the Lord deems to be the "chosen generation"?

Is this why the Book of Mormon testifies against us, not to our righteous as Gentiles, for we(LDS) are identified with the Gentiles, of not our righteous but abominations before the Lord?

Many are Called few are Chosen

• I have made a covenant with my chosen: (Ps. 89:3)

The Lord reminded this chosen generation, the Jews, what was required to be truly Chosen. Baptism was not enough, going to church was not enough, observing the law of moses was not enough. For they had omitted the weightier matter of the law. In fact no outward ordinance is enough. Nothing we can do is enough, but there is still one thing we can offer him that he will accept. Our heart, might, mind, and strength.

They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:39)

Ask yourself how do you become chosen?  What lack I yet? Seek and ye shall find. If you don't cast the seed out by your unbelief (Alma 32).

The Ultimatum of Human Life

Even though I linked it in the Jacobs ladder post I am also posting the poem here.

A Poem by Eliza R Snow
*******************
The sun had set, and twilight's shady mood
Spread a brown halo--ting'd the solitude
As days last glimmer flitted down the west;
Life's stirring scenes demurely sank to rest--
Soft silence lent its contemplative charm,
And all conspir'd the mental pulse to warm--
From world to world, imagination wander'd,
While thought, the present, past, and future ponder'd.

As I was musing the desire intense
That some kind guardian angel might dispense
Instruction; lo! a seraph-form appeared--
His look---his voice my anxious spirit cheer'd.
It was the Priesthood-- he who holds the key
T' unlock the portals of Eternity;
And with o'erflowing heart, I took my seat,
An enter'd student at th' Instructors feet.

"What would'st thou me?" The seraph gently said:
"Tell me, and wherefore hast thou sought my aid?"

I then replied: Long, long I've wish'd to know
What is the cause of suff'ring here below--
What the result of human life will be--
Its ultimatum in Eternity.

With deep, attentive mind-- with list'ning ear,
I watch'd and waited ev'ry word to hear;
As thus he said; 'Tis not for you to pry
Into the secrets of the worlds on high--

To seek to know the first, the moving Cause,
Councils, decrees, organizations, laws--
Form'd by the Gods, pertaining to this earth,
Ere your great Father from their courts came forth,
The routine of his ancestors to tread--
Of this new world, to stand the royal head.

The more immediate cause of all the woe
And degradation in your world below,
Is disobedience: Sorrow, toil and pain,
With their associates, follow in its train.

This life's an ordeal, and design'd to prove
Fraternal kindness and parental love.
Earth is your Father's workshop. What is done--
All that's attain'd, and what achievements won,
Is for the Parents: All things are their own--
The children now hold nothing but by loan.
Whatever some may claim in proud pretense;
No one has yet obtain'd inheritance;
E'en Abraham has no possession gain'd
Of what by promise he thro' faith obtained:
And all that greedy hands accumulate,
Is yet the Father's, not the child's estate.
Then shame, O shame, on all the strife you see
Here in the cradle of life's nursery--
The green-ey'd jealousies--the frosty hate
Which carnal, avaricious thoughts create!
How vain that phantom of mortality,
The mimic-form of human dignity!
'Tis soon enough for infant lips to talk
Of pow'r and greatness, when they've strength to walk--
'Tis soon enough for children to be great,
When they can boast a self-possess'd estate.

It will not matter whatsoe'er is gained,
Or what on earth may seem to be obtained;
But 'tis important that each one prepare
To be with Christ, a joint, an equal heir:
Faith, and obedience, and integrity,
Will the grand test of future heirship, be.
If true and faithful to the Father's will,
It matters not what station here you fill;
As you prepare yourself on earth, will be
Your place, your portion in eternity.

As disobedience fill'd the world with pain,
Obedience will restore it back again.
The base perversions of my pow'r produce
All the strong engines satan has in use;
And qualify the sons of men to dwell
With his dark majesty, the prince of hell.
All that obey the pow'rs of darkness go
With those they follow-- to the world below,
Then list to me--my precepts all obey--
The Gods have sent me in this latter-day,
Fully commissioned upward all to lead,
Who will my councils and instructions heed-
Who seek in ev'ry circumstance and place,
To benefit and bless the human race--
Who seek in their Father's interests to enhance--
His glorious cause upon the earth advance--
Whether below, they much or little claim,
If they exalt and magnify his name;
And in his service labor faithfully,
They'll have a fullness in his legacy.
Each faithful saint is an acknowledg'd heir,
And as his diligence, will be his share,
When god a patrimony shall bestow
Upon his sons and daughters here below.
Adam, your God, like you on earth, has been
Subject to sorrow in a world of sin:
Through long gradation he arose to be
Cloth'd with the Godhead's might and majesty.
And what to him in his probative sphere,
Whether a Bishop, Deacon, Priest, or Seer?
Whate'er his offices and callings were,
He magnified them with assiduous care:
By his obedience he obtain'd the place
Of God and Father of this human race.

Obedience will the same bright garland weave,
As it has done for your great Mother, Eve,
For all her daughters on the earth, who will
All my requirements sacredly fulfill.
And what to Eve, though in her mortal life,
She'd been the first, the tenth, or fiftieth wife?
Whether by fools, consider'd small, or great?
'Twas all the same with her--she prov'd her worth--
She's now the Goddess and the Queen of Earth.

Life's ultimatum, unto those those that live
As saints of God, and all my pow'rs receive;
Is still the onward, upward course to tread--
To stand as Adam and as Eve, the head
Of an inheritance, a new-form'd earth,
And to their spirt-race, give mortal birth--
Give them experience in a world like this;
Then lead them forth to everlasting bliss,
Crown'd with salvation and eternal joy
Where full perfection dwells, without alloy.
Thus said the Seraph.--Sacred in my heart
I cherish all his precious words impart;
And humbly pray, I ever may, as now,
With holy def'rence in his presence bow.
The field of thought he open'd to my view,
My wonder rous'd--my admiration too:
I marvel'd at the silly childishness
Of saints, the heirs of everlasting bliss,
The candidates for Godheads and for worlds,
As onward time, eternities unfurls.
I felt my littleness, and thought, henceforth
I'll be myself, the humblest saint on earth;
And all that God shall to my care assign,
I'll recognize and use as His, not mine.
Wherever he appoints to me a place,
That will I seek, with diligence, to grace,
And for my Parents, whatso'er my lot,
To work with all my might, and murmer not,
I'll seek their interest, till they send or come,
And as a faithful daughter take me home.

As thus I mus'd, the lovely queen of night,
'Neath heav'n's blue canopy, diffus'd her light:
Still brighter beams o'er earth's horizon play--
A cheering prelude to approaching day,
When truth's full glory will o'erspread the skies,
And the bright "Sun of Righteousness" arise.

Jacobs Ladder

And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it (Genesis 28:10-2).

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; (D&C 88:6)

Three great articles that should be read:
The temple as a Place of Ascent to god (Fairmormon article)
Ascension Of Isaiah - Apocrypha
The Ultimatum of Human Life Poem by Eliza R Snow

I only do what I see my Father do

How did Jesus Christ do what he did if he did not see his father do it? He said he only does  what he sees the father do. Joseph said the same thing that he only did that which he saw the father do.

Here is part of Trumans G Madsens CD series on the Prophet of Joseph smith

CD1 Track 4
There is a deeper point having to do with their[god/jesus] relationship. From the teachings of JS taught In the 1840s and I think it is a extension of what he learned that morning, that the other statement of the master namely that “I do nothing but what I see the father do” has infinite implications. How could he has seen it as a witness? Joseph Fielding Smith replied "not as a witness, he saw it in vision, Christ was blessed to see it before he entered mortality. To see in vision what the father had done before him in a prior eon if you will". And again the relationship is exact. If Christ himself was uniquely begotten and first born in the spirit and if he was thee Christ, not only of this earth but as the prophet taught later of the galaxy. So before him was the father himself a redeemer having worked out the salvation of a family which he was a brother not a father. Now this is deep water, it is drawn as a conclusion by JS in his King Follet Discourse and whatever else it may mean I take it to be mind boggling. It means at least this, that the father knows exactly by experience what the son has been through and the son by experience knows exactly what the father has experienced. And when he says “I and my father are one”, it is not a metaphysical identity, it is oneness of spirit, harmonic throbbing’s of love and insight that can only come in patterns of eternal redemption. (May be grammar errors from original)

Perfect in the Greek means complete or complete the ascent.

“There are three grand secrets lying in this chapter, [2 Peter 1] which no man can dig out, unless by the light of revelation, and which unlock the whole chapter as the things that are written are only hints of things which existed in the prophet’s mind, which are not written concerning eternal glory . . . Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob’s ladder—the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them. The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it. The inhabitants of the earth are asleep; they know not the day of their visitation. The Lord hath set the bow in the cloud for a sign that while it shall be seen, seed time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail; but when it shall disappear woe to that generation, for behold the end cometh quickly. Contend earnestly for the like precious faith with the Apostle Peter, ‘and add to your faith virtue,’ knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity; ‘for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Another point, after having all these qualifications, he lays this injunction upon the people ‘to make your calling and election sure.’ He is emphatic upon this subject—after adding all this virtue, knowledge, etc., ‘Make your calling and election sure.’ What is the secret—the starting point? ‘According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.’ How did he obtain all things? Through the knowledge of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given, pertaining to life and godliness, without knowledge. Woe! woe! woe to Christendom!—especially the divines and priests if this be true. Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this . . . We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure. If this injunction would lie largely on those to whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation! 1st key: Knowledge is the power of salvation. 2nd key: Make your calling and election sure. 3rd key: It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice, etc., and another to hear the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom” (TPJS., 304-6).

I referenced a book called the Doctrine of meeting christ in this life in my favorite links by Eric Chun. The following is taken from that book.

“And, behold, the Lord stood above it [the ladder], and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of” (Genesis 28:13-5; e.a.).

The Lord is standing, which implies that He is awake, in contrast to the sleeping Jacob. The Lord stands above the ladder. He does not stand on it, as He is not dependent upon it as a means to an end.

“And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (Genesis 28:16).

He recognized the presence of the Lord.

“And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:17).

Joseph said o this same ladder in the King Follet Discourse.

When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.

Notice its not all to be comprehended in this world, we must pass through the veil of unbelief, this is not death but parting the veil to converse with the Lord to receive that which is "not lawful to utter". It is this that prepares us for exaltation. In a literal since to be embraced by our lord and savior and as Joseph said to "hear the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom” (TPJS., 304-6). Only those with an inheritance will have part in the celestial kingdom. That is the exact promise given to Abraham, the same promise we need to receive.

King Follet Discourse further states:

My Father worked out His kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to My Father, so that He may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt Him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take His place, and thereby become exalted myself. So that Jesus treads in the tracks of His Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all His children. It is plain beyond disputation, and you thus learn some of the first principles of the gospel, about which so much hath been said... (KFD)

What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon!) The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, as the Father hath power in himself, even so hath the Son power—to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down his body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it you do not believe the Bible. The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming His name, is not trifling with you or me. (KFD)

Orson Pratt diagram about the kings and priests is shown below.. Jacobs ladder has 7 rungs on it . Each rung is represented in scripture search them out.

Commentary on it:

The above diagram shows the order and unity of the kingdom of God. The eternal Father sits at the head, crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. Wherever the other lines meet, there sits a king and a priest unto God, bearing rule, authority, and dominion under the Father. He is one with the Father, because his kingdom is joined to his Father's and becomes part of it. 

The most eminent and distinguished prophets who have laid down their lives for their testimony (Jesus among the rest), will be crowned at the head of the largest kingdoms under the Father, and will be one with Christ as Christ is one with his Father; for their kingdoms are all joined together, and such as do the will of the Father, the same are his mothers, sisters, and brothers. He that has been faithful over a few things, will be made ruler over many things; he that has been faithful over ten talents, shall have dominion over ten cities, and he that has been faithful over five talents, shall have dominion over five cities, and to every man will be given a kingdom and a dominion, according to his merit, powers, and abilities to govern and control. It will be seen by the above diagram that there are kingdoms of all sizes, an infinite variety to suit all grades of merit and ability. The chosen vessels unto God are the kings and priests that are placed at the head of these kingdoms. These have received their washings and anointings in the temple of God on this earth; they have been chosen, ordained, and anointed kings and priests, to reign as such in the resurrection of the just. Such as have not received the fulness of the priesthood, (for the fulness of the priesthood includes the authority of both king and priest) and have not been anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown. Many are called to enjoy a celestial glory, yet few are chosen to wear a celestial crown, or rather, to be rulers in the celestial kingdom.
While this portion of eternity that we now live in, called time, continues, and while the other portions of eternity that we may hereafter dwell in, continue, those lines in the foregoing diagram, representing kingdoms, will continue to extend and be lengthened out; and thus, the increase of our kingdoms will increase the kingdom of our God, even as Daniel hath said: “of the increase of his kingdom and government there shall be no end.” All these kingdoms are one kingdom, and there is a King over kings, and a Lord over lords. There are Lords many, and Gods many, for they are called Gods to whom the word of God comes, and the word of God comes to all these kings and priests. But to our branch of the kingdom there is but one God, to whom we all owe the most perfect submission and loyalty; yet our God is just as subject to still higher intelligences, as we should be to him. 

...These kingdoms, which are one kingdom, are designed to extend till they not only embrace this world, but every other planet that rolls in the blue vault of heaven. Thus will all things be gathered in one during the dispensation of the fulness of times, and the Saints will not only possess the earth, but all things else, for, says Paul, “All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's”
(Orson Hyde, “A Diagram of the Kingdom of God,” Millennial Star 9 [15 January 1847]: 23-24).

Some other quotes to ponder:

to the Christian world, who are blindly led by the blind.1 I will refer to another Scripture. “Now,”says God, when He visited Moses in the bush,2 (Moses was a stammering sort of a boy like me)3 God said, “Thou shalt be a God unto the children of Israel.”4 God said, “Thou shalt be a God unto Aaron, and he shall be thy spokesman.”5 I believe those Gods that God reveals as Gods to be sons of God,6 and all can cry, “Abba, Father!”7 Sons of God who exalt themselves to be Gods, even from before the foundation of the world,8 and are the only Gods I have a reverence for (TPJS, pg 375) 

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—beingcalled and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. (Alma 13:3)

9 As all the visible creation is an effect of faith, so is salvation, also. (We mean salvation in its most extensive latitude of interpretation, whether it is temporal or spiritual.) In order to have this subject clearly set before the mind, let us ask what situation must a person be in, in order to be saved? or what is the difference between a saved man and one who is not saved? We answer from what we have before seen of the heavenly worlds, they must be persons who can work by faith, and who are able, by faith to be ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation. And they must have faith to enable them to act in the presence of the Lord, otherwise they cannot be saved. And what constitutes the real difference between a saved person and one not saved, is the difference in the degree of their faith: one's faith has become perfect enough to lay hold upon eternal life, and the other's has not. But to be a little more particular, let us ask, where shall we find a prototype into whose likeness we may be assimulated, in order that we may be made partakers of life and salvation? or in other words, where shall we find a saved being? for if we can find a saved being, we may ascertain, without much difficulty, what all others must be, in order to be saved - they must be like that individual or they cannot be saved: we think, that it will not be a matter of dispute, that two beings, who are unlike each other, cannot both be saved; for whatever constitutes the salvation of one, will constitute the salvation of every creature which will be saved: and if we find one saved being in all existence, we may see what all others must be, or else not be saved. We ask, then, where is the prototype? or where is the saved being? We conclude as to the answer of this question there will be no dispute among those who believe the bible, that it is Christ: all will agree in this that he is the prototype or standard of salvation, or in other words, that he is a saved being a just and holy being; and if he were any thing different from what he is he would not be saved; for his salvation depends on his being precisely what he is and nothing else; for if it were possible for him to change in the least degree, so sure he would fail of salvation and lose all his dominion, power, authority and glory, which constitutes salvation; for salvation consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses, and in nothing else; and no being can possess it but himself or one like him: Thus says John, in his first epistle, 3:2 and 3: Behold, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not appear what we shall be; but we know, that when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And any man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.--Why purify himself as he is pure? because, if they do not they cannot be like him. (LOF, Lecture 7)

“They cannot progress through the ceaseless rounds of eternity except they abide in the [new and everlasting] covenant, and abide the law that governs it” (Erastus Snow, JD 24:61). 

“When man, and the planet on which he lives, with all its fullness, shall have completed all their series of progressive changes, so as to be adapted to the highest glories of which their several characters and species are capable, then, the whole will be annexed to, or numbered with the eternal heavens, and will there fulfill their eternal rounds, being another acquisition to the mansions or eternally increasing dominions of the great Creator and Redeemer” (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 58). 

“As the prophet says concerning our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ‘To the increase of his kingdom there shall be no end.’ It shall go on increasing with every cycle of eternity, as long as time endures. There shall be no end to the increase of his kingdom. His glory consisted of this; and the glory of God consists in the number of his posterity; and as generation succeeds generation, until the earth is filled and glorified, other worlds will be rolled into existence, upon which the posterity of God, our Heavenly Father, shall increase throughout the endless ages of eternity” (George Q. Cannon, JD 14:128).

James E. Talmage
""It is reasonable to believe, in the absence of direct revelation by which alone absolute knowledge of the matter could be acquired, that, in accordance with God's plan of eternal progression, advancement from grade to grade within any kingdom, and from kingdom to kingdom, will be provided for. But if the recipients of a lower glory be enabling to advance, surely the intelligences of higher rank will not be stopped in their progress; and thus we may conclude, that degrees and grades will ever characterize the kingdoms of our God. Eternity is progressive; perfection is relative; the essential feature of God's living purpose is its associated power of eternal increase."

Brigham Young
The clay that was marred in the potters hands was thrown back into the unprepared portion, to be prepared over again. So it will be with every wicked man and woman, and every wicked nation, kingdom, and government on the earth, sooner or later; they will be thrown back to the native element from which they originated, to be worked over again, and be prepared to enjoy some sort of kingdom." (JD 2:124)

The Potters Wheel

"Upon the same principle supposing I have a lump of clay which I put upon my wheel, out of which clay I want to make a jug; I have to turn it into as many as 50 or 100 shapes before I get it into a jug. How many shapes do you suppose you are put into before you became Saints, or before you become perfect and sanctified to enter into the celestial glory of God? You have got to be like that clay in the hands of the potter. Do you not know that the Lord directed the prophet anciently, to go down to the potter's house to see a miracle on the wheel? 

Suppose the potter takes a lump of clay, and putting it on the wheel, goes to work to form it into a vessel, and workis it out this way, and that way, and the other way, but the clay is refractory and snappish, he still trys it, but it will break, ans snap, and snarl, and thus the potter will work it and work it until he is satisfied he cannot bring it into the shape he wants, and it mars upon the wheell; he takes his tool, then and cuts it off the wheel, and thows it into the mill to be ground over again, until it becomes passive, (don't you think you will go to hell if you are not passive?) and after it is ground there so many days, and it becomes passive, he takes the same lump, and makes of it a vessel unto honor. 

Now do you see into that brethren? I know the potters can. I tell you, brethren, if you are not passive you will have to go into that mill, and perhaps have to grind there one thousand years, and then the Gospel will be offered to you again, and then if you will not accept of it and become passive, you will have to go into the mill again, and thus you will have offers of salvation from time to time, until all the human family, except the sons of perdition, are redeemed. The spirits of men will have the Gospel as we do, and they are to be judged according to men in the flesh. Let us be passive, and take a course that will be perfectly submissive. "
(JD 1:161)

Keys of the Kingdom: Priesthood Keys

What are keys? We often talk about them but what are they?

D&C 128:21 says the following.

21 And again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca county, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! 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; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little; giving us consolation by holding forth that which is to come, confirming our hope!

Joseph saw it fit to distinguish between everyone of these different terms. Dispensations, rights, honors, majesty and glory and power. If these men are declaring what theirs are than shouldn't we also be able to or hear what the prophets are today? Should we be able to declare ours? Are keys given to us when we fulfill an assignment by the Lord? (and only him for he is the gate keeper, the one that bestows keys)

The word priesthood keys does not appear once in the entire book of Mormon. Yet the book of mormon contains the fulness of hte gospel, that which is required for salvation.

Joseph said the following about keys.

The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. 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. (History of the Church, (5:554-556), or here)

This is the same sacrifice by covenant that is required of all that wish to be gathered in the last days (LOF, Lecture 2). So if a man can attain to the keys of the kingdom than is this why they cannot be passed? For they can only be attained in one way? Perhaps its a certain type of knowledge?

Section 90 reads about the keys of the kingdom.

2 Therefore, thou art blessed from henceforth that bear the keys of the kingdom given unto you; which kingdom is coming forth for the last time.
3 Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come;
4 Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church.
5 And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house.

Is this why we are under condemnation? The oracles or covenants or rules we have held lightly? (D&C 84). The consequence of one under condemnation is that it will fall when the storms descend if they do not remove it. This is why we must build upon the rock instead of the sand.

Why is it that the oracles can be past on but NOT the keys of the kingdom?

Keys for Salvation

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. (Luke 11:52)

The pharisees were chastised for taking away the key of knowledge, that which is required for salvation. They taught dead works (law of moses) instead of that which saves us. They dumbed down the doctrine of Christ and taught only milk.

Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living. (D&C 128:11)

When one gains this fulness of the priesthood, they are gaining the keys, the keys in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of men.

I will put two quotes side by side for further thought here.

"Consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood" and "in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men". How does this previous scripture relate to this quote?

1 May 1842 (Sunday Morning). Grove.Manuscript History of the Churchpages 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.

You see how that scripture and this quote are related?

One more quote about the "signs in heaven, earth, and hell"...

Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.Joseph Fielding Smith (editor), Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 160

What are Keys?
A good friend related the following to me and I use these words as my own testimony, what matters I guess does God vouch for this or not? That is a question between you and Him.

What if the Keys of the Kingdom have nothing to do with priestly authority?  What if the Keys of the Kingdom have little or nothing to do with church government?  What if, rather, the Keys of the Kingdom literally are THE KEYS to the Kingdom of God?

In D&C 19:19 we learn that Jesus Christ has finished His “preparations unto the children of men.”  It’s been done.  Our Lord has made it possible for man, in his mortal, fallen, and sinful condition to put off the natural man, to become a new creature in Christ, to progress and advance from here to there, into the literal Kingdom of God, into the literal presence of God the Father.  What if the Keys of the Kingdom of God are simply those keys of knowledge, understanding and experience which are given to teach us how to advance from our mortal condition into the very presence of the Lord? 

The Keys of the Kingdom are apostolic keys, given to those who are (or are to be) special witnesses of the resurrected Christ.  These individuals are not given the keys because they are apostles; rather, they are apostles because they have received the keys.  They have walked the path, they have learned for themselves, one step at a time, how it is done.  They have submitted themselves to the care and guidance of the Lord and have thus received directly from Him, by revelation, the keys of knowledge and understanding necessary to traverse the path and enter in through the gates which lead into the presence of the Lord.  They have received from Him, though the veil, that greater light and knowledge, as predicated upon their being true and faithful in all things, which leads the repentant soul back into the presence of the Lord.  They have been filled with His light, His mind, and His power, to such an extent that they are able to overcome all obstacles, all bounds, all stumbling blocks, and all things which separate us from Him.  Hence, the duty of an apostle is to testify of Christ, to baptize in His name, and to utilize those keys in teaching others how they can receive these same blessings for themselves.

Now there are other keys besides the Keys of the Kingdom, or the Keys of the Knowledge of God.  These other keys invariably represent specific assignments, covenants, or dispensations from the Lord to specific individuals; but this is apples and oranges.  The point I want to make here is that the Keys of the Kingdom are not ecclesiastical or theocratic.  They are not given as leverage to rule over others—this would be priestcraft.  No.  The Keys of the Kingdom are authoritatively benign.  They are not to be used to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion upon the souls of men. Rather, the Keys of the Kingdom simply constitute the path which leads the humble follower of Christ back into the presence of the Lord.

Are we not meant to become kings and priests? Of what? Of a kingdom? And when we receive one we will work it out and present it to the Father (Joseph Smith, King Follet discourse)

Keys:

And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19)

Keys are associated with two things here, mysteries of the kingdom and the knowledge of God. Thus you have this knowledge, or these mysteries you have these keys. This greater priesthood, holdeth the key of these things. Why is that? Because no man can gain this knowledge without this priesthood. Or better stated if anyone gains this priesthood they have these keys because they have now gained the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom. We will discuss this in a moment.

Joseph has used the word key for many things. I will give you a key to unlock this mystery, the lord uses it in D&C 19 when defining a scripture. Joseph used it when expounding upon the doctrine of 2 Peter 1 and the calling and election made sure. I have quoted both these quotes, in the Doctrine and Election post and the Key to Understanding Scriptures post.

Phrases used.

"Now, there is some grand secret here, and keys to unlock the subject"

"Now for the secret and grand key"

"Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven"

"I have Key by which I understand the scripture"

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.