The Sons Of God Continued

Under Adam's direction, angels were sent from heaven to give keys to the prophet Joseph Smith.  Joseph was an Elias sent to "restore these very glories."

In a revelation given through the prophet in Kirtland, the Lord revealed more concerning the Holy Priesthood.  The same elements that you see in JST Genesis 14 show up in this 1832 revelation.  Moses, who was an High Priest after this order, an Elias in his day, sought to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God.  Their story is one that is much like our own.    

“And without the ordinances [of this greater priesthood], and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

“For without this no man can see the face of God , even the Father, and live.

“Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

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

“Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;” (D&C 84:19-25).

It should be apparent that the Holy Priesthood herein mentioned is the very same priesthood spoken of in the previous post.  It has to do with "the power of godliness" and the "face of God" being manifest unto men "in the flesh."  It has to do with "sanctification" and entering into God's "rest," which is the "fullness" of His Glory.

Your experience in the Lord's church - and it is His church - is different than the experiences Enoch and Melchizedek had with their God through the veil.  It is different than the experiences Moses had, and that Joseph Smith had.  Our experience has been more in the likes of the antediluvians who never entered the ark, and like the children of Israel who couldn't accept what Moses had to offer.  Indeed, as has been said concerning us, though not aptly explained to us, we live far beneath our privileges (most recently).

Joseph's revelation continues:

“For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

“They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.

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

For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

“And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

“And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

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

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

“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.

“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” (D&C 84:33-42).

You can become a son of God or a son of Perdition.  If you have been given power to become the one, it is within your capacity to become the other.  Most will not become either in this life.  Most will not ever reach such a height, or fall to such a depth.  Yet, receiving the knowledge of God should be the aim of every Latter-day Saint.

The Lord said that "all those who receive the priesthood" will receive an "oath and covenant of my Father."  Those who "break this covenant" and "altogether turn" therefrom, will not qualify for forgiveness in this world or in the next one.  This is a very serious matter.  The Lord is very serious about these things.  The Father doesn't hand out "this covenant" to his sons without proving them first in all things (HC 3:379-381).  More on this in the next post.  

Well, early in Joseph Smith's ministry, some saints made extensive efforts to connect with heaven and resultantly experienced many of the gifts of the spirit and the glories of God.  In time, however, many of the saints were filled with envy, strife, contention, jealousies, folly, and abomination.  They failed to comply with the Lord's instructions and hence to obtain Zion.  They were "moved out of their place."  Their failures brought cursings, wrath, indignations, and judgments (D&C 124:45-48).

The Lord is beginning again to put forth his hand and work among the people.  We have an opportunity to repent and come unto Christ, or be destroyed.  How is it that the Gentiles will choose the latter?

This is the last time that the Lord shall nourish his vineyard (Jacob 5:71).  The end is nigh at hand.  Those who repent and prevail upon God, in faith, to receive the blessings of the fulness of the gospel will be sealed in their foreheads (D&C 77:11).  

There will again begin to be "natural fruit" in the vineyard (Jacob 5:73).  The Lord will preserve the natural fruit to Himself against the season, which speedily cometh.  The bad will be cast away.