The Kirtland House of the Lord

I call it the “Kirtland House of the Lord” because this is what the Lord and what Joseph Smith called it. They never called it a “temple”. The first reference to building “a temple” was with reference to the temple in Jackson County.

D&C 57:3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court-house.

Joseph Smith Never Mentioned a Visit from Elijah in the Kirtland Temple            

Rob Fotheringham gives an excellent summary in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGuaHkvsJzM

Section 110  From Vision to Canonization

Rob refers to this document, which you can download here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3119&context=etd#:~:text=Doctrine%20and%20Covenants%20110%20came,recorded%20but%20never%20publicly%20taught.

Section 110

Visions manifested to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the House of the Lord (temple) at Kirtland, Ohio, April 3, 1836. The occasion was that of a Sabbath day meeting. Joseph Smith’s history states: “In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us.”

Meetings held during this week:

  • Sunday March 27, 1836—the temple is dedicated and during an evening meeting a noise like the sound of rushing wind enters the temple, the Brethren prophesy and speak in tongues and angels fill the temple.
  • Tuesday March 29, 1836—the Prophet administers the ordinance of the washing of feet to the leading brethren.
  • Wednesday March 30, 1836—Again the brethren attend to the ordinance of washing the feet and the sacrament followed by another Pentecostal outpouring in which many prophecies, others speak in tongues, angels appear, and some of the brethren see the Savior.
  • Thursday March 31, 1836—A second Temple Dedication meeting is held for those who could not get in the preceding Sabbath. (See History of the Church, 2:410-432)
  • Sunday April 3, 1836—Joseph records he “attended meeting in the Lord’s House, and assisted the other Presidents of the Church in seating the congregation, and then became an attentive listener to the preaching from the stand. Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten spoke in the forenoon to an attentive audience of about one thousand persons. In the afternoon, I assisted the other Presidents in distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, receiving it from the Twelve, whose privilege it was to officiate at the sacred desk this day. After having performed this service to my brethren, I retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed myself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent prayer. After rising from prayer, the following vision was opened to both of us…” (History of the Church, 2:434-435)

Historical Background and Mission of Elijah

This vision was never published or discussed in lifetimes of either Joseph Smith or Oliver Cowdery. Joseph Smith never personally recorded this event; he did have it recorded in his journal by his scribe Warren Cowdery (Oliver’s brother). Doctrine and Covenants 110 came from this journal entry. This vision occurred in 1836, but did not become recognized as canonized scripture until 1880. No source yet found shows that Joseph Smith taught in a public setting that the 1836 vision occurred. It was recorded but never publicly taught.

So far as it is known, Oliver Cowdery never made a public statement concerning the vision or that he even discussed the vision privately. Even in his last written testimony before his death, which he wrote on January 13, 1849, Cowdery testified of the validity of the visitation of Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, without mentioning the 1836 vision.

Joseph Smith not only had day-to-day events recorded in his journal, but also revelations he said he had received from the Lord. In 1836, there were only two revelations that he recorded in his journal that occurred in Kirtland. Both were in relation to the newly completed Kirtland Temple. Section 109 was the first revelation recorded in 1836. It contains the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, which Joseph Smith taught was given to him by the Lord through revelation. Joseph Smith read the dedicatory prayer and dedicated the temple on March 27, 1836 [Shabbat HaGadol, a high sabbath, the sabbath before Passover]. One week later, on Easter Sunday [Passover], April 3, the revelation known as Doctrine and Covenants Section 110 occurred and was recorded in his journal. This was the last revelation recorded in his Kirtland journal for the year 1836.

These dates are not accidents. There are many events in the Restoration that coincide with Jewish holidays.

The 1836 vision was recorded in the Deseret News on November 6, 1852, as part of the “Life of Joseph Smith” series.

The reclamation of Section 110 established precedence and prepared the way for other Reve­la­tions to be lifted from pages of written history and placed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Sections 137 and 138 are two primary examples of sections that became part of the Doctrine and Covenants which followed the pattern established with Section 110. There are other examples as well: notably, Sections 130, 131, and 132. This vision was added to the 1876 edition of the Doctrine & Covenants as Section 110. Brigham Young directed Elder Orson Pratt to oversee the publication of the 1876 edition. Pratt divided the various revelations into verses, arranged them in order as to when they were received, and also included twenty-six additional revelations. In October of 1880, George Q. Cannon presented the new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price to the membership of the Church and the Saints unanimously voted to accept the new version of the Doctrine and Covenants as canonized scripture.

Elijah is said to have transferred the sealing power to Joseph and Oliver inside the Kirtland Temple (D&C 110). The sealing power of Elijah has two primary components; God’s power to control the elements for the protection of the righteous, and the power to “seal” family lines together past, present and future, through and to “the fathers” – and finally to God, the Great Father of us all. These “fathers” (like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Joseph Smith, etc.) helped provide salvation for those they served while on the earth, in connection with the Lord. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s statement in 1840 indicates a future delivery of keys held by Elijah, possibly at Adam-ondi-Ahman or in a temple. This is seen in his words, “will, before the last dispensation”—potentially meaning before this last dispensation is complete, he will “restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.”

“Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation [after that of Joseph Smith], restore the authority and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness” (TPJS, p. 172).       

“The dispensation of the fulness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations, also other things that have not been before revealed. He shall [future tense] send Elijah the prophet &c., and restore all things in Christ [Ha Mashiyach].” The Words of Joseph Smith, 3 October 1841 (Sunday Morning), p.79, also Times and Seasons, 2:577-78, 15 October 1841 [comments in brackets]

On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith stated that, “the church is not now organized in its proper order, and cannot be until the Temple is completed.” Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes, Ehat, p. 115

Section 128 was taken from a letter written by the hand of Joseph Smith when he was in hiding, during the Nauvoo period. According to this letter, nothing was committed to Joseph and Oliver. The messengers [angels] simply declared their rights, etc., holding forth that which is to come.

D&C 128:21 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 divers angels, 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!

Section 110 – Comment and Analysis

D&C 110:1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.

[This is a description of a vision. The Lord first appeared. They did not ascend into the Presence of the Lord, like Moses. They saw with their spiritual eyes]

D&C 110:2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.

D&C 110:3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rush­ing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

[Some people who have spoken face to face with the Lord describe his eyes being deep blue. The Lord can appear any way he wants and with any degree of glory that we can tolerate. When Moses ascended to the Presence of the Lord, it was necessary for him to receive a baptism of Fire and to be translated.]

D&C 110:4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.

D&C 110:5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.

D&C 110:6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.

D&C 110:7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.

D&C 110:8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.

D&C 110:9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.

[Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have already been endowed and shall hereafter be endowed This phrase present in the JS journal, but was omitted from the D&C. ] in this house have been endowed in this house]

[He doesn’t say He will speak exclusively to the prophet. Many members reported seeing the Savior at various meetings held in this house.

“Wednesday, [March 30, 1836]. — At eight o’clock, according to appointment, the Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventies, the High Council, the Bishops and their entire quorums, the Elders and all the official members in this stake of Zion, amounting to about three hundred, met in the Temple of the Lord to attend to the ordinance of washing of feet. . . .

“Tubs, water, and towels were prepared, and I called the house to order, and the Presidency proceeded to wash the feet of the Twelve, pronouncing many prophecies and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus; and then the Twelve proceeded to wash the feet of the Presidents of the several quorums. The brethren began to prophesy upon each other’s heads, and upon the enemies of Christ, who inhabited Jackson County, Missouri; and continued prophesying, and blessing, and sealing them with hosanna and amen, until nearly seven o’clock in the evening.” (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 2:430, 431)]

D&C 110:10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.

D&C 110:11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

[Keys are not exclusive rights or privileges. Keys are knowledge. Real knowledge in this sense is not information or even wisdom. It is a degree of intimacy with the divine that unlocks the powers of Heaven. Moses was acting as an Elias. The gathering of Israel takes place on a Telestial level, commensurate with the then current spiritual level of the church.]

[“Another striking statement pointing to the fact that these people are now in a body in prepar­ation for their return is the statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith at the conference held in Kirtland, June 3 to 6, 1831. At this conference the Prophet said: “John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.” The Savior also bore witness that these tribes were in a body like the Nephites and he would visit them. (“3 Ne. 15:203 Nephi 15:20 and 16:1-4.)” (Signs of the Times [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1952], 159.)]

D&C 110:12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.

[We do not really know, specifically who this “Elias” is. But an “Elias” is a calling or an office to pre­pare the way for a greater revelation of Priest­hood. This Elias could have been Noah, Abraham, someone living at the time of Abraham.  There are other Eliases who will come forth — for example: John the Beloved, John the Baptist, and Elijah. One characteristic of an Elias, he will never overstep the bounds of his calling and office. Even if he possesses greater Priesthood, he will never go beyond his specific calling.]

D&C 110:13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

D&C 110:14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi–testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come–

D&C 110:15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten [strike, slay, hit] with a curse [utterly destroyed] —

[These are the actual meanings of the Hebrew translation. Joseph Smith was right. He could have rendered a plainer translation.

JS 1:38. And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood [Reveal the covenants between God and Man, both on earth and in the heavens.], by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

JS 1:39. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. [reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers] If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming. [Moroni quoted this passage with a plainer translation.]

“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.

“Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.

“The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” DHC 5:554-5

“The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah are to come after, holding the Keys of Power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood [The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected, and made sure.] upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His temple, 

“Elijah [the office or calling] was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord, although the spirit of Elias might begin it.” (Given March 10, 1844, Comp. p. 283; TPJS 34-35; HC 6:249).

Seven years later, Joseph said Elijah would come at a future date. “History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844],” p. 1708, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed October 25, 2020, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-e-1-1-july-1843-30-april-1844/80]

D&C 110:16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

[As stated above, the keys of Elijah were not committed to Joseph and Oliver. Joseph taught publicly that Elijah was yet to come. Elijah here was referring to the keys of the preparatory Gospel of Abraham. The church was under condemnation at this time, and was not worthy of anything beyond telestial keys and Priesthood.]

A Response to “What the Book of Mormon does not teach about salvation”

This is response to a video on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=madG5N1vpTA&t=2993s, comparing LDS teachings about salvation with those taught by the Book of Mormon. I agree with their conclusions about salvation as taught in the Book of Mormon, which are squarely in conflict with LDS teachings based on interpretations of other scriptures. The point of this essay is to show that if you take the Bible and the D&C for what they actually say instead of the church’s interpretation of what they say, then all the scriptures are consistent and harmonious, and rather than a conflict, they actually shed light on one another.

To see this, you are going to have to invest some time studying the scriptures and some effort in unlearning the false traditions you were taught. I am going to elaborate on this, and point you to some podcasts where some LDS scriptorians explain this in detail.

In Brief

But, if you are not willing to spend the time of the effort, then I would ask you to read the following two paragraphs, then with that in mind read 1 Peter 3, Section 29, Section 76, and Section 88, keeping these thoughts in mind.

In brief, the Book of Mormon teaches that in the final judgment a person either ends up in the Presence of God, or is cast out and endures endless torment. On the other hand, the LDS church has taught for years that in the final judgment a person inherits one of three different degrees of glory, depending on their level of works, or they inherit a kingdom of no glory.

The scriptures, when you read them with a fresh mind, free from the interpretations of men, teach that instead of four branches of decision at the final judgment, the three degrees of glory are three levels of attainment along the way to the Presence of God, through which we must all successively pass.

Where and when do we pass through these successive levels of attainment? The Telestial glory is  typical of the world in which we now live in. The temple endowment teaches this. But what about this: “And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding; “? (D&C 76:89) Can anybody say that they truly understand everything about this world? The skies? The seas? The land? Our own bodies? Our own minds?

“And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world;” (D&C 76:98) The telestial glory is not one. In this world, we have all types of people, all living together, each living the law pertaining to their own particular glory. We have the honorable men of the earth (terrestrial) who were deceived by the craftiness of men (telestial), and those who are honorable, but are not deceived (celestial).

The terrestrial glory describes the earth during the Millennium. The earth will be cleansed and made fit to abide a terrestrial glory and those who are fit to abide this glory or higher will remain while those who can only abide a terrestrial glory will be removed from the planet and sent to another place of lesser glory.

Discussion

This paper and the scriptures answer two of the biggest questions in Mormonism: (1) Is there progression between kingdoms? (2) What are the qualifications for inheriting each kingdom? The answers are, respectively, “yes,” and “the qualifications are clearly spelled out in the scriptures.”

Are there different level of salvation? The Lectures on Faith define a single definition and standard of salvation.

And if we should continue our interrogation, and ask how it is that he is saved? the answer would be – because he is a just and holy being; and if he were anything different from what he is, he would 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.

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 constitute 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, third chapter, second and third verses: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet 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 every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Why purify themselves as he is pure? Because unless they do not they cannot be like him. — Lecture Seventh

If you don’t believe the Lectures on Faith, then how do you explain this?

D&C 76:43 Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.

I remember pondering over this in Sunday School and in religion classes. What does this mean that Jesus saves everybody, except the “Sons of Perdition”? The teachers had to make up some theology on the spot by claiming that there was a difference between “salvation” and “exaltation.” This was done to reconcile Section 132 with all the rest of scripture. Section 132 offers a very unique concept of “exaltation”, which occurs nowhere else in all of scripture. “Exaltation” is not a special level of salvation. “Exaltation” simply means to be lifted up from any lower level to a higher level.

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. TPJS p. 348

In short, Jacob’s ladder in just like any other ladder. It goes straight up, from where you are now to the highest heaven, passing many levels along the way. It does not reach a certain level, then branch out to various destinations. When Jesus said: “My father’s house as many mansions.” The word “mansions” is mistranslated. The original word meant “dwelling place,” or place where you “abide.” There is no connotation of a permanent residence.

“Eternal” and “Everlasting” are qualities of God

In the Sacrament prayers, we address God as “O God, the Eternal Father.”

We read the following in the scriptures:

And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. Gen 21:33

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deut 33:27

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6

Mos 7:35 Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.

People argue that in D&C Section 19, God is changing the definition of “eternal”, when he says:

Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore — Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.  Endless punishment is God’s punishment. – D&C 19:6-12

D&C 19 clarifies the term “eternal” as the word has been translated in the scriptures. In English “eternal” means “without ending or beginning”, but in Hebrew, the word is “olam”, and in Greek, the word is “eonian”. Those words mean an age, a period of time, a world, a condition of existence, an estate. And in all these cases, there is definitely a beginning and an end.

But, is this idea contrary to the Book of Mormon? Alma says he was racked with “eternal torment” which only lasted until he repented. Alma was speaking of the quality, not the duration of his torment.

My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more. (Mosiah 27:29)

But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror. Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds. And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul. And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. (Alma 36:12-19)

I don’t know what Joseph Smith was thinking. He probably had trouble comprehending what the Lord was trying to reveal, but he was really trying to undo centuries of false traditions due to mistranslations of the Bible. Just because you receive revelation doesn’t necessarily you understand what you receive or can easily put it in words. This was probably new to him also.

“Eternal punishment is God’s punishment”, means it’s the kind of punishment ordained by God. And, by the same token “Eternal life is God’s life”, or the kind of life that God lives. We say “eternal life is to know God”, but nobody can truly know God unless he IS God. Then, and only then can you live as God lives.

There is a true doctrine on these points, a doctrine unknown by many and unbelieved by more, a doctrine that is spelled out as specifically and extensively in the revealed word as are any of the other revealed truths. There is no need for uncertainty or misunderstanding. And surely if the Lord reveals a doctrine, we should seek to learn its principles and strive to apply them in our lives. This doctrine is that mortal man, while in the flesh, has it in his power to see the Lord, to stand in His presence, to feel the nail marks in His hands and feet, and to receive from Him such blessings as are reserved for only those who keep all His commandments and who are qualified for that eternal life, which includes being in His presence forever. [Forever means now and always.] Bruce R. McConkie from A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, page 492

Something in King Follett I never caught before

I know the Scriptures; I understand them. I said that no man can commit the unpardonable sin after the dissolution of the body. Why? Because they must commit the unpardonable sin in this world after they receive the Holy Ghost. All will suffer in the eternal world until they obey Christ himself and are exalted. Hence, the salvation of the Savior Jesus Christ was wrought out for all men to triumph over the works of the devil; if the plan did not catch them in one place, it would in another. The devil came to save the world and stood up as a savior. The contention in heaven was that Jesus contended that there would be certain souls that would be condemned and not saved, but the devil said, “I am a savior,” and that he could save them all. As the grand council gave in for Jesus Christ, the lot fell on him. So the devil rose up, rebelled against God, fell, and was thrust down, with all who put up their heads for him.

All sin shall be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Ghost, for Jesus Christ will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He has got to deny the plan of salvation; he has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it with his eyes open; he has got to receive the Holy Ghost, deny Jesus Christ when the heavens are open to him, know God, and then sin against Him. After a man has sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him.

Justice of the Great Lawgiver

But while one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men, causes “His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but, “according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil,” or whether these deeds were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India. He will judge them, “not according to what they have not, but according to what they have,” those who have lived without law, will be judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law. We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right. TPJS p. 218

Jacob’s Ladder

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. TPJS p.304

If it is not in harmony with the scriptures, it is not true.

It’s not a gospel of affirmation, neither is it a gospel of individual choice. The gospel is all about becoming like Christ is, through faith, repentance, baptism by water, and baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost. In the end, we are either like Christ and are comfortable in His Presence, or we are not.

Take this passage:

“And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];” (D&C 131:2)

1. This was not a revelation. It was an item of instruction.

2. Joseph Smith did not say the bracketed phrase. It was inserted after the fact when this section was added to the D&C in 1876.

3. Two witnesses claimed to hear Joseph Smith say this. The fact is that one of them was not even present.

The notion that we have a choice in where we end up in the judgment is not true. The Telestial glory is the world in which we now live in. The temple endowment teaches this. The Terrestrial glory describes the world during the Millennium. It is a transitional state.

Joseph Smith taught that we go from glory to glory, from exaltation to exaltation. Jacob’s ladder does not lead to multiple destinations. It leads to only one place, but passes THROUGH all the others. “Exaltation” is simply ascending to a higher place. Salvation consists of one thing and one thing only: to be precisely as Christ is. The Lectures on Faith teach this. Latter-day saints should read the lectures like scripture, because they are scripture. There are also “items of instruction”, like Section 131, but unlike Section 131, they were removed because they were considered “items of instruction”.

When you understand this, the following verses are not confusing. We can read them exactly as they stand, without inventing false theology:

D&C 76:43 Who glorifies the Father, and saves ALL the works of his hands, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him.

D&C 76:44 Wherefore, he saves ALL except them–they shall go away into everlasting punishment, which is endless punishment, which is eternal punishment, to reign with the devil and his angels in eternity, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, which is their torment–

The lower degrees of glory are interim stops along the way, where every person receives the opportunity to rise as high as he will, and eventually be saved by the principle of mercy, the principle of judgment, or the principle of justice.

D&C 88:35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.

The Scripture Chaser 1.0.1.0

I have posted a new version of The Scripture.

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Expanded features

  • Added reformatted scriptures
  • Added Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
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  • Use Ctrl+W to exit instead of Alt+X. More consistent with Windows
  • Improved external references. Easier to see.
  • You can use others translations of the scriptures. Not just King James.

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Faith in Yourself

The Lord has faith in us. Why shouldn’t we have faith in ourselves?

We have to have faith in our ability to endure all things, keep the commandments, and become justified and sanctified.

I read all kinds of books and scriptures about being born again and receiving the second comforter. But I didn’t make any progress on this journey until I began to believe that this was doable and that I could do it.

Paul had faith that he was able to endure all things because of Christ:

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Peter had faith in his ability to lead people to Christ:

2 Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

John taught that we can have boldness in the day of judgment we are one with God and God is one with us:

1 Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Both John and Moroni taught the we can have faith that the transformative power of the Holy Spirit will bring about a change in us, and having this hope we will purify ourselves even as the Lord is pure

1 Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet 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.

1 Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.


Is the testimony of the servants of the Lord (above), those who speak in His Name, not good enough to demonstrate His faith in us.?

Where has the Lord said that he doesn’t have faith in us?

The Lord SHOWS us that He has faith in us in everything he says and does.

The “more sure word of prophecy” aka “calling and election made sure” aka the “testimony of Jesus” is the Lord’s prophesying to you that you have eternal life. Would He do that if He didn’t have faith in us? Would He lay His own salvation on the line in order to provide immortality and eternal life for us if he didn’t believe that at least some of us would receive it?

But here’s a sampling of the Lord’s promises to us:

D&C 35:27 Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

D&C 38:9 Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome.

D&C 38:15 Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours.

D&C 62:9 Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so. Amen.

D&C 78:18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

D&C 82:24 For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen.

Lack of Faith in ourselves

A lack of faith in ourselves is a great weakness, and I believe where it shows up most often is that we have trouble forgiving ourselves. We can’t truly repent unless we forgive ourselves and we must have faith that we really can stop sinning.

True faith in oneself is not pride. Some people may confuse it with pride, but it is not pride.

Humility is knowing where you are on the path and acting accordingly. False humility is pride. When the Lord encourages you and calls you to do something, you need to have faith that you can do it. To doubt that you can do it, is to doubt the Lord, and it is also pride because you are saying you know more than He does.

This is how I know the Lord has faith in us

God works by faith – Lecture 1 of the Lectures on Faith

17. Who cannot see, that if God framed the worlds by faith, that it is by faith that he exercises power over them, and that faith is the principle of power? And that if the principle of power, it must be so in man as well as in the Deity? This is the testimony of all the sacred writers, and the lesson which they have been endeavoring to teach to men.

22. We here understand that the sacred writers say, that all these things were done by faith – It was by faith that the worlds were framed – God spoke, chaos heard, and worlds came into order, by reason of the faith there was in Him. So with man also – he spoke by faith in the name of God, and the sun stood still, the moon obeyed, mountains removed, prisons fell, lions’ mouths were closed, the human heart lost its enmity, fire its violence, armies their power, the sword its terror, and death its dominion; and all this by reason of the faith which was in them.

3.2 It is by words, instead of exerting his physical powers, with which every being works when he works by faith.

3.3 God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Joshua spoke, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah commanded, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain: he again commanded and the heavens gave forth rain. All this was done by faith.

8.1 When men begin to live by faith they begin to draw near to God; and when faith is perfected they are like him; and because he is saved they are saved also; for they will be in the same situation he is in, because they have come to him; and when he appears they shall be like him, for they will see him as he is.

17.6 That is was a system of faith – it begins with faith, and continues by faith; and every blessing which is obtained in relation to it is the effect of faith, whether it pertains to this life or that which is to come. To this all the revelations of God bear witness.

God doesn’t boast of faith – He shows it by His works, words, dealings with men

God’s Supreme Act of Faith: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth on Him [exercises faith in Christ] should not perish, but have everlasting life.

How man exercises faith

The Lord gave us an example that we can all understand: planting a seed, or planting a tree.

Jacob 5 – Parable of the Lord’s vineyard in which He planted and nourished and cared for his olive trees in anticipation (faith) that they would yield good fruit.

Matt 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

Alma 32:40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

The Lord Takes Delight in us

Zeph 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Isaiah – His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

Ps 149:4 – The Lord takes pleasure in his people

Before the foundation of the world, The Lord entered into an everlasting covenant with each of us by which we can come to this earth, gain experience, learn of Him through faith, gain a desire to return to Him, above all else, so that we can be adopted as His sons and daughters and be joint-heirs with Him and partake of eternal life. He offers us this covenant and has faith that we will enter into that covenant and be faithful to it.

The Lord does everything by faith. By faith, He formed this world and everything that is in it. By faith, He placed us here. By faith, He teaches us, encourages us, supports us, succors us in the hour of temptation.

By faith, He saves us from both hell and death. By faith, He walked into that holy place alone and endured for us a trial that we could never endure. By faith, He resurrected Himself, by the power of the Father that was in Him, so that we could obtain a resurrection, too.

He tells us that the worth of our souls is great in the sight of God.

I once asked God for the gift of charity: to see each of us the way He sees us. If you could see this, you would know how much faith He has in us because he sees us as we are: glorious eternal beings, capable of becoming like Him.

We spoke recently of general commandments and individual revelation. When you come to Him, He will speak to you and tell you and show you how much you mean to Him. Seeing you grow and struggle and grow closer to Him makes His day and justifies the faith He has in you. He will give you a calling or a mission and empower you to do it. He may give you permission to speak His words and act in His Name because He knows that you will never speak or do anything contrary to His will.

It is my greatest desire to be a servant in the hands of the Lord. I know that the Lord has faith in me, because He told me so. I know what He expects of me. He enters into covenants with me because He know that I am faithful. He gives me visions and revelations because He knows that I will not seek them for my own glory and will only share what can be shared and encourage others to seek their own revelations.

He also knows that I have a tendency to disbelieve what He tells me because am afraid. Jesus knew Peter could walk on that water as long as he kept his eyes fixed on the Lord. The Lord puts me in situations where I must learn to “sink or swim”, and that I must trust that He will bless and uphold me in whatever He asks me to do.

It’s a mutual relationship of trust and faith. It goes both ways. This of your business relationships. Think of your marriage. Think of you and your children. The faith and trust must flow both ways.

John said we love Him because He first loved us. There is no higher form of love than trust. We trust Him because He first trusted us.

I think God because I know He has placed Him trust in me. I try very hard to justify that trust. I know I fall short often, and fail to reflect what He has shown me and what He has helped me to become. But, I trust Him to forgive me, and continue to work with me and teach me.

Romans 8:28 – All things work together for you maximal good.

2 Nephi 26:24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

Desire

If you get to the point where you are one with Christ and Christ is one with you, does it really make any difference? If you are one with God and God is one with you, then it comes from God. But the desire has to come from us. God already has everything else, but what He seeks is our desire. This is why desire is so important. Desire is ours and ours alone. God may arrange conditions to bring about a desire in us to come to Him, but it is us that still has to have that desire.

D&C 76:58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God–

D&C 76:61 Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet.

We should not glory in the natural man, but we should glory in the part of us that is one with God: in the goodness which in us and the glory which God shares with us so that we can be one with Him.

We should glory in our divine nature.

The Divine Nature – by Panashe Gouche

The Holy Spirit is the essence of Godhood. It is the link that connects all divine beings. The Holy Spirit is something that emanates from God and it is also beyond Him. It is the link of all Gods in eternity, and our God is fully in tune with It. In a sense, the Holy Spirit is the Eternal Godhead. When we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we become members of the Holy Spirit. It then becomes easier to tap into the Celestial frequency that is the Holy Spirit so we can commune with God. We become a Holy Ghost and one with the Father and Son. In that way is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost one. When we receive the Holy Ghost, we become partakers of the Divine Nature which is the Holy Spirit.

The Nature of God

When you read the Book of Mormon and the Lectures on Faith and compare them with some of Joseph Smith’s later speeches like King Follett and Plurality of Gods, some people notice an apparent difference in the description of God, and claim he “evolved”. I never believed this, but I never knew enough to prove it. Now, I do. Thanks to prayer, revelation, scripture study, and a few good ideas from other sources. If this were just a theory, I would call it “The Unified Theory on God”, but it is more than a theory. It is truth, and it ties together so many separate conflicting ideas about God. I thought it was a mystery and I couldn’t reveal it, but something prompted me to tell it to somebody on Facebook. He said “You nailed it.” I told it to somebody else who said “But, isn’t that obvious?” Then, I started writing it up, and I discovered a Mormon philosopher who had thoughts along the same lines.

This is not the trinity.  This is not Adam-God. This is not what the church teaches. But this is what the scriptures teach.

I recommend you download both documents (about 35 pages each) and read them in order.

The Nature of God

The thing you must realize about anything you are taught about God is subject to bias: your own and that of the writer or speaker. Even if we receive something directly from God, we must take into account our own culture, understanding, and traditions and seek as much as possible to eliminate those from the pure truth we receive. We must realize also that God can also speak to us in terms of our culture and understanding in order to get a truth across to us. So much of what any church teaches us: traditional Christianity, or restored Mormonism, is based on somebody’s interpretation or translation of scripture. Given all of this, we have to be constantly discerning for truth.


Blake Thomas Ostler is an American philosopher, theologian, and lawyer. He has written numerous articles on the topics of Mormon theology, philosophy, and thought. This paper deserves to be better known and find a more prominent place in Mormon thought.


Blake Ostler offers a new way to perceive God and the Godhead, based on scriptural evidence, which I believe is much more truthful than the traditional Christian or Mormon interpretations of God. It resonates with the scriptures, with what Joseph Smith taught, and with my understanding of what the Lord is teaching me. Do not mistake any of what you have previously heard or read or what you will now read for the final word about what God is. Instead, take it as a giant step forward in our understanding of God and our quest to know Him, and thus, obtain Life Eternal. Then, having built on a better foundation, I heartily invite you to continue your search for God and obtain an even greater understanding. But, to know God is more than just to know about God. You actually have to understand the heart and mind of God. I hope this discussion of the mechanics of God helps you somewhat to both know and love God in a better more complete way.

Re-vision-ing the Mormon Concept of Deity

Writings of Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer

Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer — these three men hold a unique place in Latter-day saint history. After Joseph and Oliver, David Whitmer was the third person to be baptized. These three men were the first to behold the gold plates and the artifacts of the Book of Mormon, as shown in vision by the angel. These three men were the only three men whom the Lord called Apostles. The Lord only referred to the other twelve traveling high councilmen as “disciples”.

Oliver and David also left us some valuable writings, which shed additional light on the foundation of the Restoration, and which deserve to be read and considered.

Besides the handful of scriptures which the angel quoted to Joseph Smith when he was being prepared to receive the gold plates, he received a total of some 40 scriptures from the angel. Oliver Cowdery recounts these scriptures and provides additional details of how Joseph received and translated the plates.

David Whitmer gives his final witness of his role in witnessing the plates, the translation of the Book of Mormon, and first-hand accounts of the establishment of the church. Portions of David Whitmer’s testimony may be controversial to some because he outlines how Joseph followed the arm of flesh and succumbed to personal pride. He provides historical and scriptural support.

Many of us today realize that it is a mistake to gain a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true, and then to blindly extrapolate that testimony into believing that the LDS church is true and that everything its leaders do is inspired of God.

David Whitmer points out that the early saints made the same mistake. They gained a testimony that the Book of Mormon was of God, then blindly extrapolated that testimony into believing that everything the Joseph Smith did, for that point on, was inspired of God. David Whitmer admits that he made that mistake, along with Oliver and all the early members.

He points out that even though King David and Solomon did wrong in having many wives and concubines, the books of Psalms and Proverbs are beautiful books of poetry and wisdom, which we revere today from the man who was after the Lord’s own heart and the man who was the wisest man who ever lived. If we can receive wisdom and revelation from these books, we can also receive wisdom and revelation from the most correct book, and respect Joseph Smith for having translated it.

Both these men had fallings-out with Joseph Smith, but they never denied their testimonies of the Book of Mormon.

Scriptures Given by the Angel to Joseph.pdf

An Address to All Believers in Christ.pdf

A “Special Witness” of the “Name of Christ”

There has been some discussion on social media about some church officer, having the title of “apostle”, declaring himself a “special witness of the name of Christ”. People were outraged, whether it was feigned or real, at the thought of somebody not only declaring himself to be an apostle, but calling himself a “special witness of the name of Christ”, rather than a “special witness of Christ”, as if this were something new, and a demotion in calling.

The man is correct. He was called to a church office, originally held by twelve men, who were called as “traveling councilors” and called to become “apostles”. They were to become “special witnesses of the Name of Christ” – special because this calling differs from all others in the church, and of the name of Christ, because this, too, is a special designation and the topic of this post.

My goal in posting this was to educate people about this calling by calling upon the scriptures to do so. To illustrate the low level of knowledge in the church, by presenting this information, I was accused of “gaslighting” by somebody who didn’t have the grounding to tell the difference. This, in itself, is sad.

My purpose is this is not to judge the man, whether he is in fact a true apostle, or not. My purpose is to explain and defend the designation “the Name of Christ”. It does not belong in the gutter of unbelief. It deserves the highest honor, recognition, and worship of which we are capable.

This designation has not changed since this revelation was given in 1835:

D&C 107:23 The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world–thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

The Lord never designates the “twelve traveling councilors” AS “Apostles”, but they are called TO BE “Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ”. They never rose up to fulfill this calling because they never followed Oliver Cowdery’s (who was an Apostle) charge to seek their ordination at the hand of the Lord.

If you understand the full meaning of the word “Name” in Hebrew. It is more than just a label. It DESCRIBES the nature, mission, office, calling, and role of a person, among other things.

The Name of Christ is not the same as the name “Christ”.

It is a Name above all other names. It is the only name under which we may be saved. It is the Name by which we may ask and receive. It is the Name by which we gather so that the Lord may be in our midst.

It is the Name which we witness that we are willing to take upon ourselves. But the Name is actually placed upon us by the Lord, himself. A true Apostle is a witness that he has actually stood in the Presence of Christ and received that Name from the Lord.

How do I know this? To receive this Witness and to take upon me this Name was the desire of my heart, and in response, the Lord sought me out and found me

D&C 18:27 Yea, even twelve; and the Twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name; and the Twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart.

D&C 18:28 And if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature.

D&C 18:37 And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, and also unto David Whitmer, that you shall search out the Twelve, who shall have the desires of which I have spoken;

D&C 18:38 And by their desires and their works you shall know them.

Here are a few scriptures illustrating the purpose and nature of that Name:

2 Nephi 31:13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism–yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

2 Nephi 32:9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

2 Nephi 33:12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

Enos 1:15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.

Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 5:8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Mosiah 5:9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

Mosiah 5:10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.

Alma 5:38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

3 Nephi 27:5 Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

Mormon 8:38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies–because of the praise of the world?

Mormon 9:21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

D&C 46:31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit;

Book of Commandments 15:23 Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness, and as many as repent, and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

Book of Commandments 24:30 Behold whosoever humbleth himself before God and desireth to be baptized, and comes forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnesseth unto the church, that they have truly repented of all their sins and are willing to take upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him unto the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, then shall they be received unto baptism into the church of Christ.

To be a witness of the Name of Christ is not only to testify of the reality of Christ, having seen Him and having receive authority from Him, but is to be a living example of Christ in every way.

Speaking to the 12 disciples to the Nephites, the Lord said:

3 Nephi 27:27 And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Keys of Knowledge to be Learned from the Endowment

The first thing that you should know about the endowment is that everything is not a literal, but a symbolic representation. The endowment is not a saving ordinance, but it is a symbolic depiction of a saving ordinance which should take place throughout your life as you come to Christ. I pray that as I present some of those symbols and what the Lord has taught me about them that you will see these representations, not as beliefs, but as ways of understanding the symbols. You can understand them on many levels, and there are many ways to interpret them. Use these ideas as suggestions that the Lord can show you the true principles behind them, that you may use them in your life.

We are forced to labor under very difficult circumstances. We are taught by fallible men. We have poorly translated and incomplete scriptures. We have to contend with the vagaries of our language. And, last of all, we are bound by false traditions promoted by false, apostate religions. And yet, the Lord tells us that we have sufficient to enable us to lay hold of the iron rod and walk the path back to Him. Given all this, why should we expect our temple ordinances to be pure and uncorrupted? It’s a measure of our faith that even when given insufficient information, we can still step forward and act boldly and valiantly. None of this is a barrier to the Lord. By His grace, He will compensate for our lack of pure knowledge by giving us pure revelation. The Endowment