*By way of encouragement, I suggest you pay close attention to the footnotes. They contain information I describe as “doctrine that distilled upon my soul as the dews from Heaven.” The footnotes are not mine but provide greater light than I had previously thought. They have a profound impact on the depth of understanding received from this content.
Growing up in the Mormon tradition, one is familiar with searching for their ancestry through genealogical research. Combing through birth, death, public and church records from past ages enables us to establish our lineage and learn of our progenitors. Historically those efforts are tied to the Lord’s prophecy to send Elijah prior to the His Second Coming.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he [Elijah] shall seal the heart of the Fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their Fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (RE Malachi 1:12, emphasis added).
Traditionally the Mormon view of this prophecy is Elijah’s prophecy was fulfilled at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. In the resumption of the Restoration today, problems arise with that view when historical facts collide with established narratives. A major challenge is raised when the methodology to support that view which draws original conclusions and works back to establish the rationale.
“ . . . But by careful examination of the events, and rethinking them as a whole, they leave gaps, and leap to conclusions which seem unjustified. Most of the faithful accounts begin with the conclusion. These authors accept a proposition as a matter of faith, then reason backward from their faith to interpret events. This approach never guarantees the truth. It develops an argument to support an outcome” (Snuffer, Denver. Passing the Heavenly Gift (p. 319, emphasis added). Mill Creek Press. Kindle Edition).
This approach to historical commentary are intended to support traditional narratives that may or may not align with the facts. Particularly when the narrative supports claims of divine authority.
The intent of this paper is not to litigate the issue of the legitimacy of section 110 in the Doctrine and Covenants. The intent of this paper is to propose a different paradigm in the scriptures. There are relevant aspects of literal lineage when ties to the Tribes of Israel is the objective. However, in the economy of God, there are two lineages transcending in importance literal lineage. Before claiming our lineage is from one tribe or another, we must accurately assess which of two transcendent lines our lives reflect.
Two Premier Lineages
Two pre-eminent lineages in question are children of Christ and children of the accuser. Unlike genetic and relational links in literal lineage, lineage in pre-eminent categories are determined by our actions. The Savior introduced this concept to Jewish leaders of His day.
“If the Son sets you free from sin, you are free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you conspire to kill me because my teachings have no place within you. I teach you what the Father has shown to me while I was in his presence, and you follow the teaching of your father. They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus replied to them, If you were really Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But instead you plan to kill me. And why do you plan to kill me: I am a man that has only told you the truth that I have heard from the Most High God; Abraham would never do such a thing. You follow the example of your real father. Then they said to him, You are the product of extramarital fornication involving an unknown number of men, and we are not. We have one Father, even God. Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me, for I am sent by and represent God. I am not speaking my own words or pursuing my own agenda, but the Father’s words and agenda. Why do you fail to comprehend my words? Your refusal to hearken and submit to my teachings makes you deaf indeed. Your father is the accuser, and you share the envy and rebellion of your father. He was a rebellious destroyer from the beginning, and fought against the truth, because he prefers lies. When he spreads a lie, he advances his agenda. He is the source of deceit in this fallen world. And because I am the Source of truth, you are unable to believe me. Which of you can truthfully show that I have missed the mark? And if I teach the truth, why do you refuse to believe me? Everyone who follows the Most High God hearkens to God’s words. Because you do not follow the Most High God, you cannot hear him” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:19, emphasis added).
The Savior makes a subtle, but clear distinction between the Jewish leaders being “Abraham’s descendants” and who their true father is. That distinction is determined by whether or not they receive the Lord’s message and do the works of their Patriarchal Father whose lineage they claim. They didn’t seek “greater righteousness” and “greater knowledge” like Abraham.[1] Their intent was to assert their authority and pre-eminence over Jesus, the itinerant preacher. His mastery of the scriptures, miracles, and the profundity of His teachings held no authoritative weight in their minds. More damning is His pronouncement that everything He taught was content given to Him by His Father in Heaven while He was in His presence. As Jesus stated, “I am the Source of truth,” and because they rejected and rebelled against the Savior’s teachings, they were blinded from discerning the Father’s truth He offered.
Becoming A Child of Christ
“ . . . While infants who pass away won’t be lost, mankind must humble themselves and believe in the atoning blood of Christ to avoid damnation. This belief is necessary for salvation and must be held steadfastly. Men and women, in their natural state, are out of harmony with God and have been since the Fall of Adam. This disharmony will continue from eternity to eternity [Eternal Lives], unless they yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, abandon their fallen nature, and become holy through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. They should strive to become like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents” (CofC, Mosiah 1:16, emphasis added).
As children, we enter mortality innocent. When men and women reach the age of accountability, the veil of the Atonement of Christ gradually withdraws and they must, “. . . humble themselves and believe in the atoning blood of Christ” or be damned [cease progressing]. From the point of accountability mankind find their natural temperament is contrary to God’s nature. The purpose of this probation is to provide opportunities to transform their state of nature into harmony with God’s. Doing so by using the agency God has given to choose to obey His commandments and follow His prescribed path.[2] Godly attributes are: becoming “like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents.” This transformation is not limited to aligning our nature with God’s, it is preparation for following the post-mortal path exemplified by the Savior.
“Then Jesus affirmed to them, In the name of Father Ahman I tell you, The Son does nothing of himself, but I am following the path that my Father walks. Every thing the Father has done, I am likewise to do. My Father loves His Son, and has revealed to me every thing he has done, and I have a work to do for me to finish the path of my Father. You may not believe me, but before the end you will be in awe of what I am sent to do. The Father has attained to the resurrection, and I am sent to do likewise.[3] In this creation the Father has made me the Source and judge of the resurrection. You will be required to honor the Son, even as you honor the Father. Anyone who disrespects the Son also disrespects the Father who sent me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 5:3).
We begin our journey in mortality making choices for our lives by exercising agency God has given all mankind. Over time we partake of the fruit of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil. This is done in the hope we one day learn to choose good and reject evil.[4] The choice is ours. Choosing good over evil leads to spiritual illumination informing of us of our eternal potential for continued progression over many cycles[5] from “a small degree to another”:
“ . . . 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” (TPJS. p.397, emphasis added).
The Lord alluded to Peter’s grace for grace progression when He prepares Peter for the time he suffers the sacrificial death similar to Jesus.
“ . . . In the name of Father Ahman I tell you [Peter], when you were progressing, you dressed yourself, and went where you chose to go; but as you approach the end of the path, you will have to let others stretch out your hands and likewise nail you, even if you plead to have the bitter cup removed. This He said to foretell the sacrificial death that is required for endless glory. And then He added, You must follow after me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:18, emphasis added).
At the beginning of our mortal path, we exercise our agency to wear what we choose and go where we decide to go. During the course of our lives we find our way to the Father’s path by following those sent by the Heavenly Council to teach and show the way [Patriarchal Fathers]. The Fathers come to know the Father and Son and are shown by them where the path to Eternal Lives leads; and the Patriarchal Fathers desired to ascend there. Prior to this conversation with Peter, the Lord taught him and the disciples what to expect following His death and resurrection.
“Simon Peter asked him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, The steps I take next on the path, you will not be taking for now, but you will take those steps later on as you travel the same path. Peter responded to him, Lord, why can I not follow you right now? I am willing to lay down my life for you. Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for me? In the name of Father Ahman I tell you, The rooster will not crow tomorrow morning before you have denied me three times.
Do not allow your heart to be troubled. You are devoted to God and are also devoted to me. In the journey through my Father’s realms are many stages with temporary abodes. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare an abode for your upward journey. And when I arise, I will prepare places for you, but I will be your companion again and visit each of you, so that where I travel, you may journey to also. And the path I follow upward you know [because of the Record of Heaven within you][6], and the way of ascent you also know. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way? You have not told us. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the record of the truth, and the means for Eternal lives, worlds without end: no man comes to the Throne of the Father without me. If you follow me [on the Fathers path], you will come to the Father’s Throne through me and will thereafter be like him forever” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:8-9, emphasis added).
Jesus was the Savior, Exemplar, and Redeemer for all mankind. Jesus was the head of His dispensation and therefore the Patriarchal Father appointed by the Heavenly Council in Peter’s day. Jesus set the highest bar for all mankind in mortality. In addition to Him were other members of the Holy Order after the Son of God who act as Patriarchal Fathers. They nurture those in mortality[7] inclined to “feast on the words of Christ’s”[8] in search of the Father’s path, following their example. Imitation may be the highest form of flattery in mortality, but it is also the highest form of worship. Christ being the example because He followed the Father’s path so perfectly He is referred to as the “Word” of God.[9]
This concept of adoption by discipleship is illustrated in the context of Priesthood in the Teachings and Commandments:
“Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses, for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed. And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord upon Mount Zion, in the Lord’s house, whose sons are ye [by adoption], and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my church. For whoever 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, that 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, says the Lord, for he that receives my servants receives me, and he that receives me receives my Father, and he that receives my Father receives my Father’s kingdom; therefore, all that my Father has shall be given unto him [Heirs of God]. And this is according to the oath and the covenant which belongs to the Priesthood . . .” (RE T&C 82:16-17, emphasis added).
We become the seed of Aaron, Moses, and Abraham by emulating their examples and advancing in Priesthood. By advancing in Priesthood it should be a noted difference from institutional priesthood ordination and ordination by one genuinely appointed by God. Jewish scholars received priesthood appointment from the Jewish hierarchy. In contrast, the Savior obtained His Priesthoods from God, His Father.[10] Patriarchal Fathers represent different levels of post-mortal ascension. I suspect we are aligned with the Father reflecting most closely the level the Lord determines we are on.[11] When Elijah returns to open the corridor between Heaven and Earth we can expect to be ministered to by these righteous Fathers[12] who nurture us to gain access to their covenant blessings through obedience to the dispensation head in our day. In this manner their hearts turn to us and our hearts to them.
Who Are the Seed of Christ?
“Now I ask you: Who will identify His sons and daughters? I tell you that after His life has been made a sin offering, He’ll reclaim His children. Now, what do you say? Who will be His children? I tell you that whoever has believed the prophet’s words — moreover, all the holy prophets who have prophesied about the Lord’s coming, I tell you that all those who have followed their words and believed that the Lord would redeem His people and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I tell you that these are His children, or they are heirs of God’s kingdom. These are the ones whose sins He has borne; these are the ones He has died for, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not His children? And the prophets, every one who’s proclaimed His messages, who hasn’t fallen into transgression — I mean all the holy prophets since the world began — I tell you that they are His children. These are the ones announcing good news, that proclaim peace, that report coming good fortune, announcing victory, telling Zion: Your God reigns! How welcome on the mountain are their footsteps! And how welcome on the mountain are the footsteps of those who are still announcing victory! Again, how welcome on the mountain are the footsteps of those who will continue announcing victory from now on and forever!” (CofC, Mosiah 8:8, emphasis added).
Words written in scriptures are typically precise. In Abinadi’s account it is interesting the word “reclaim” is used to describe the Savior’s work “after His life has been made a sin offering.” To reclaim something is to: “retrieve or recover (something previously lost, given, or paid); obtain the return of” (Oxford Languages). The Savior’s sacrifice was a reclamation of those lost because of Adam and Eve’s fall. What was lost were children He had previously created. His sacrifice provides the means for reclamation. We are responsible for choosing to accept the means provided because His kingdom comes to Him without compulsory means.[13] We know we are His children if we come to Him.
“And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life, for you shall live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatever is truth is light, and whatever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. And the spirit gives light to every man that comes into the world, and the spirit enlightens every man through the world that hearkens to the voice of the spirit, and everyone that hearkens to the voice of the spirit comes unto God, even the Father. And the Father teaches him of the covenant which the Father has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for yours only, but for the sake of the whole world.
And the whole world lies in sin and groans under darkness and under the bondage of sin, and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me, for whoever comes not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoever receives not my voice is not acquainted with my voice and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous [children of Christ] from the wicked [children of the accuser], and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now” (RE T&C 82:18-19, emphasis added).
The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith how to discern between the wicked and righteous. The explanation of how discernment works appears black and white in its application. Such is not the case. Everyone gives heed to “the words of eternal life” in differing degrees. The degree of “heed and diligence” given “the words of eternal life” determine how quickly one ascends and returns to the Father’s presence. The ascension process is not limited to this mortal experience alone, but accomplished over many cycles and “eternal lives.”
“If knowledge saves, then it follows that repentance requires us to learn something. We must begin with the first and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. D&C 130:18-21 explains: “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” [These laws cannot be changed, avoided, or opposed with any success. They can be learned and implemented, and the benefits harvested.] Blessings from God are obtained by diligence in what? Obedience to what? Knowledge and intelligence. Diligent at exactly what? Obedient to whom? Were the Nazis both diligent and obedient? Are the jihadists both diligent and obedient? Are the drug cartels both diligent and obedient? Are the ‘masters of the universe’ on Wall Street diligent and obedient? None of these examples of diligence and obedience involve gaining intelligence from God. What will rise from such things in the resurrection will leave the participants poor and weak and miserable. Virtues are meaningless apart from righteousness. We must have both to begin to repent” (Snuffer, Denver. Preserving the Restoration, pp.103-104, emphasis added, Mill Creek Press).
It is incumbent upon all to diligently search the words of eternal life. In the process of our search it requires we have mercy on others and be empathetic with the circumstances they face. Each of us must appreciate the circumstances of our mortal experience. They are uniquely designed to promote advancement in the areas that are in need of personal development. Those who face greater adversity may do so in preparation for their approaching day of “sacrificial death” required for “endless glory” in their next cycle.[14] This was the pattern followed by Melchizedek.[15]
We are in various stages of progressing from grace to grace and grace for grace. We climb a ladder after we pass from this life and what we learn here rises with us in the resurrection in preparation for our next cycle. As stated above, “virtues are meaningless apart from righteousness.” Virtues are what we hope to gain personally and righteousness is the grace we extend to others. Those with different challenges may have greater abundance and success in mortality but their challenge is to show compassion and reserve judgment for those facing greater challenges. They are the ones the Lord says: “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood.” They are not superior in the eyes of God but tested to see if they resist using authority as a means of compulsion,[16] like the accuser. God intends for them to be “servants of all.”[17]
The children of Christ are those who discern between good and evil correctly. All are endowed with discernment, but those who choose correctly are those forgiven and responsible enough to be called the “children of Christ.”
“So everything that invites and persuades to do good and to love God and to serve Him is inspired by God. Therefore be careful, my dear people, not to judge what’s evil to come from God, or what’s good and from God to come from the accuser. You are required to determine, so you can distinguish good from evil. The way to determine things is as plain as the daylight is from the dark night, so you can know it clearly. Because the Spirit of Christ is given to everyone so they can tell good from evil. Therefore I’ll show you how to decide. Everything that invites to do good and persuades to believe in Christ is sent out by the power and gift of Christ. Therefore you’re able to know clearly it comes from God. But anything that persuades people to do evil and not to believe in Christ and deny Him and not to serve God, then you’re able to know clearly that it comes from the accuser. This is how the accuser works; he doesn’t persuade anyone to do good — no, not one — and neither do his angels or those who subject themselves to him. Now, since you understand the light by which you can decide things, and this light is the light of Christ, take care you don’t make the wrong decision; because you’ll be judged by the standard you judge with. So I implore you to search diligently using the light of Christ in order to know good from evil. And if you embrace every good thing and don’t condemn it, you’ll certainly be a child of Christ” (CofC, Moroni 7:3, emphasis added).
In effect, we set the standard for our own judgment by the way we judge others, good and evil. We all require grace for our imperfections because we are all flawed. As we progress toward perfection God requires us to extend grace to others engaged in this process. How we treat them is how God will judge us.
Perfection is what we aspire to, but perfection is what Christ attained and He is only half way to where the Father is.[18] That should inspire great humility in our assessment of where we stand with God. It should inspire compassion for others on the same path.
We must become as Christ, and we are not close to attaining His level of progression. It’s far too early to begin comparing ourselves to others. Particularly when we have no knowledge or appreciation of what they have endured in prior cycles. For us to be “saved,” we must be exactly, precisely as Jesus is:
“ . . . But to be a little more particular, let us ask: Where shall we find a prototype into whose likeness we may be assimilated, 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. 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, 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” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 7, emphasis added).
Fortunately the Atonement of Jesus Christ saves us if we discern good from evil, repent of our shortcomings and turn to face Christ. But that is only the beginning. At this juncture of our progression perfection is possible, but not required of us yet. Only discernment, knowledge, compassion and humility are required. Until we fit the description of the prototype of the saved man, none of us should take a victory lap because we believe we are superior to others. That judgment can only be measured in many cycles, not just this mortality. For the most part, without the restoration of our record of Heaven[19] we remain unquestionably unqualified to judge ourselves or others. One thing is certain. If we fall short of the previous description, our spiritual heritage remains up for grabs, but the outcome is always ours to choose.
Nothing has been said about what qualifies someone as a child of the accuser. If we fail to measure up to the prototype of the saved man we remain in jeopardy of becoming a son or daughter of the accuser. Still, we remain the masters of our destiny and ultimate parentage.
[1] “In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 1:1, emphasis added).
[2] “And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell. And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon, and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 6:2, emphasis added).
[3] “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” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 369, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition).
“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” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 397, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
[4] “And now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which I, the Lord God, had made. And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent (for he had drawn away many after him, and he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God; wherefore, he thought to destroy the world) and he said unto the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (And he spoke by the mouth of the serpent.) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden but of the fruit of the tree which you behold in the midst of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die, for God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as gods [that is the desire of God the accuser didn’t know], knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it became pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make her wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave [wisdom] also unto her husband [like the Gods] with her, and he did eat [Eve is the source of Adam’s wisdom and the key to his eventual Godhood]. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they had been naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons”
“In the Answer to Prayer for Covenant, it is explained that establishing any Throne is done through a covenant requiring a mother-companion and female counterpart to elevate a father to a Throne. It's also clear that once elevated, these two sit together upon a Throne. Every Throne and every Kingdom in eternity requires these two separate parties, the man and the woman, to be one. And again, I say [unto] you, Abraham and Sarah sit upon a Throne, for he could not be there if not for Sarah’s covenant with him. Isaac and Rebecca sit upon a Throne, and Isaac likewise could not be there if not for Rebecca’s covenant with him; and Jacob and Rachel sit upon a Throne, and Jacob could not be there if not for Rachel’s covenant with him; and all these have ascended above Dominions and Principalities and Powers [steps on Jacob’s ladder], to abide in my Kingdom. Therefore the marriage covenant is needed for all those who would likewise seek to obtain from me the right to continue their seed into eternity, for only through marriage can Thrones and Kingdoms be established. (T&C 157:42-43) Given this, any mention of the Heavenly Father is also mention of both Divine Parents, for there is neither man nor woman alone in the Divine state. When first created, man and woman were joined together by God. This union happened before death entered into the world. Therefore, their companionship was eternal when first established and, when rescued from death, would return. As Christ put it: Have you not read that he who made man at the beginning made him male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave [unto] to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh? Wherefore, they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 9:19 RE, emphasis added) This union of Adam and Eve and this plan of God for all who would thereafter be married was to make the man and the woman one flesh. What God has joined together and made into one, no one should put asunder by rejecting the eternal nature of marriage. It was always intended to last through the resurrection” (Our Divine Parents, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.12-13, emphasis added).
[5] “Even what we envision as the highest heaven, is a condescension for those who sit enthroned, able to dwell in everlasting burnings. Else why in section 130 would you be given a white stone that reveals things that pertains to “a higher order of kingdoms,” when you are in the Celestial Kingdom? This is because where you are now, at this moment, in this meeting, hearing my voice in this room today, is about halfway to where you need to grow. It has been almost infinite in the time that has been required to get you here today. Much more will be required before you will arrive at the point at which you will be precisely as Christ became. I might add where Christ has arisen to dwell in everlasting burnings is about halfway to where things ultimately can go in this “higher order of kingdoms” spoken of in Section 130. You say it's necessary in this condition to have a physical body in order to come down here and perform, and you say that rightly. But there are other places beyond this. There are places where, in everlasting glory, the personages dwelling there are of “spirit, glory, and power” like The Father” (Christ: The Prototype of the Saved Man, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.18-19, emphasis added).
[6] “The holy ghost is most correctly understood as the individual spirit within each man or woman — it is the heavenly record from each one’s prior experiences, although now veiled . . .” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Holy Ghost, second edition, p.151, emphasis added).
[7] “And because He’s [Christ] done this, my dear people, have miracles stopped? I tell you: No. And neither have angels stopped ministering to mankind. They [angels] are obedient to Him, to minister according to His commands, revealing themselves to those of strong faith and of a firm mind in every form of godliness. The responsibility of their ministry is to call people to repentance, and to fulfill and do the work of the Father’s covenants [with the Patriarchal Fathers] that He’s made to mankind, to prepare the way among people by declaring Christ’s word to the Lord’s chosen vessels, so they can bear testimony of Him. And by doing this, the Lord God prepares the way for the remainder of mankind to have faith in Christ, so the Holy Ghost can have a place in their hearts according to the power of the Holy Ghost [having their record of Heaven restored]. This is how the Father vindicates the covenants He’s made to mankind. Christ has said: If you have faith in Me, you’ll have power to do whatever I consider needed and proper. And He’s said to everyone on earth: Repent and come to Me and be baptized in My name and have faith in Me, so you can be saved” (CofC, Moroni 7:6, emphasis added).
“The Holy Order is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the plan of salvation, and every important matter is revealed from Heaven.” Now, my dear people, I believe you’re wondering a little in your hearts about what you should do after you’ve entered through the way. But why do you wonder over these things in your hearts? Don’t you remember I told you that after you had received the Holy Ghost, you could speak the words of angels? Now, how could you speak the message of the angels unless you did it by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; as a result, they speak Christ’s words. Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock. Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do. This is Christ’s doctrine. No more doctrine will be given until after He visits you here on earth. Once He shows Himself to you here on earth, you must obey what He tells you. In every generation, when God has provided salvation for mankind, it is the Holy Order that is used by God to fix what is broken, restore what has been lost, repair, heal, forgive, and reconnect those who are willing to give heed to the message sent from Heaven to enable mankind to become sons of God. It conveys blessings and information that are withheld from the world” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Holy Order, second edition, p.153, emphasis added).
“A title referring to a specific group [Patriarchal Fathers] with status on the other side of the veil; a proper noun, not just an abstraction. In the afterlife there are different rungs on Jacob’s ladder where different Powers are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers [exalted men] have no desire to control or compel others [mortals] to rise on Jacob’s ladder. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth [grace for grace, grace to grace] through which all must pass if they want to ascend nearer to God. Each individual on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Powers of Heaven, second edition, p.248, emphasis added).
[8] “Now, my dear people, I believe you’re wondering a little in your hearts about what you should do after you’ve entered through the way. But why do you wonder over these things in your hearts? Don’t you remember I told you that after you had received the Holy Ghost, you could speak the words of angels? Now, how could you speak the message of the angels unless you did it by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; as a result, they speak Christ’s words. Therefore I told you: Feast on Christ’s words — because the words of Christ will tell you everything that you should do. After I’ve said these words, if you can’t understand them, it will be because you don’t ask or knock. Consequently, you aren’t brought into the light but are certain to perish in the dark. I tell you again, if you will enter through the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you everything you should do. This is Christ’s doctrine. No more doctrine will be given until after He visits you here on earth. Once He shows Himself to you here on earth, you must obey what He tells you” (CofC, 2 Nephi 14:1, emphasis added).
[9] “In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made which was made. In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the world, and the world perceives it not” (RE John 1:1, emphasis added).
[10]“Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness. And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the Order of the Son of God, which Order came not by man, nor the will of men, neither by father nor mother, neither by beginning of days nor end of years, but of God. 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” (RE Genesis 7:18, emphasis added).
“And I, John, bear record and lo, the Heavens were opened, and the holy ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove and set upon him. And there came a voice out of Heaven saying, This is my Beloved Son.
And I, John, bear record that he received a fullness of the glory of the Father. And he received all power, both in Heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
And it shall come to pass that if you are faithful, you shall receive the fullness of the record of John. I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness, for if you keep my commandments, you shall receive of his fullness and be glorified in me as I am glorified in the Father. Therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace” (RE T&C 93:5-7, emphasis added).
[11] “ . . . In the afterlife there are different rungs on Jacob’s ladder where different Powers are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers [Father’s] have no desire to control or compel others [mortals] to rise on Jacob’s ladder. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth through which all must pass [by sentinels, Patriarchal Fathers] if they want to ascend nearer to God. Each individual on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Powers of Heaven, second edition, p.248, emphasis added).
“Christ set the example in all things. He was sealed up unto eternal life, fulfilled all righteousness, and “receive[ed] all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for [Him], after [He] departed this life, to enable [Him] to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the holy Priesthood, and gain [His] eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell.” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, selected and arranged by John A. Widtsoe, p. 416.) We are expected to follow Him. We are expected to participate in the same ordinances, follow the same path. He is our Great High Priest. To love Him is to follow Him. To follow Him is to receive all He offers. If we can understand what ordinances He received, then we can understand what ordinances we should also be seeking to receive” (Snuffer Jr., Denver C.. Come, Let Us Adore Him . Kindle Edition, emphasis added).
[12] “Well, we should ask ourselves about Elijah‘s role in all this. If the ―fathers in heave are going to return, then what must be done to prepare for them? If they will bring with them—or perhaps it might be more correct to invert that—if it is the Lord who will bring them, what must be done to live in His presence? How does a person qualify to survive such an appearance? What kind of priestly authority allows a man to behold God‘s face and live? These questions all have answers in the scriptures. They are not hidden from us. Joseph‘s revelations are as consistent as Joseph‘s sermons in giving us what we need to know to preserve ourselves for the day of the Lord‘s return. All of this does involve Elijah. He is not, as we often tell ourselves, the last person to hold the sealing power. That would have been Peter. Or, since we don‘t have accurate dates for their respective deaths, it may have been Nephi, on this continent. But you can know for a certainty that it was NOT Elijah. Therefore anyone who teaches Elijah‘s return is connected only to sealing power used to connect ourselves to our kindred dead, but which does not also include connecting us with the ―fathers in heaven does not understand the truth as yet. Joseph‘s description of Elijah‘s mission included a connection using Elijah‘s seals between the living and the ―fathers in heaven. The kindred dead are beneficiaries of that also; but the link, the thing which would prevent mankind from being ―utterly waste at the Lord‘s return, was this connection to the ―fathers in heaven. He proclaimed it to an indifferent audience at Nauvoo, who hardly took note of the teaching. Today, as descendants from the Nauvoo audience, we use still Joseph‘s vocabulary. We talk about ―seal and about ―sealing But we have a vastly different picture in mind than the one Joseph was setting out. We know nothing about the connection to the ―fathers in heaven and instead focus on the genealogical connection to our kindred dead. No matter how much we connect them to us, we cannot help them, nor can we be helped either, if we do not have ourselves bound to ―the fathers in heaven We will all be ―utterly wasted unless we reform the correct connection and use the correct authority to accomplish it. Here, then, we have finally arrived at Elijah‘s significance as the one who must first return. He was not the last one living who held the sealing power, though he did in fact possess it. Instead, he is vital as the last one to make the ascent from earth to heaven. He rose up through the fiery corridor, and went to God‘s presence. He joined the ―fathers in heaven who are to return. He last opened the way by his physical ascent. He will be the first to physically descend through the fiery corridor to return from heaven to dwell again on earth. His return will not be made in a temporary opening. We‘ve had plenty of those. His return will open a permanent, fixed stairway between the ―fathers in heaven and those who are prepared for the return of Zion. Zion will be overshadowed by the Lord‘s glory. The fiery corridor, or pillar of fire, or ladder to heaven, or conduit into heaven, or chariot of fire, will be opened by Elijah‘s descent. It will remain over Zion and will be visible there. It will not be temporary. It will be the place from which the first preparations for the Second Coming begin. At that location a small group will be prepared to endure this opening. They, and those called to join with them, will escape being ―utterly wasted at the unveiling of our Lord in glory at His return. It is Elijah who will restore the hearts of the fathers to the children or, in other words, he will reestablish the lost corridor between heaven and earth that connects those in heaven with those on earth. This fiery path needs to be opened beforehand. The path, once it opens, will allow men on the earth to be prepared for the coming again of those who are Zion above. Well, Elijah answers to this” (THE MISSION OF ELIJAH RECONSIDERED, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.28-29, emphasis added).
[13] “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood; only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul; without hypocrisy and without guile; reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the holy ghost, and then showing forth afterward an increase of love toward him whom you have reproved (lest he esteem you to be his enemy), that he may know that your faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death [what Christ did]; your bowels also being full of charity toward all men, and to the household of faith; and virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Then shall your confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrines of the Priesthood shall distill upon your soul as the dews from heaven. The holy ghost shall be your constant companion, and your scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and your dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto you for ever and ever” (RE T&C 139:6, emphasis added).
[14] “ . . . This He [Jesus] said to [Peter] foretell the sacrificial death that is required for endless glory. And then He added, You must follow after me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:18, emphasis added).
[15]“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God (that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins) who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way, for he himself also is encompassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof, he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that said unto him, You are my Son; today I have begotten you. As he says also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek — who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. (This alludes to Melchizedek and not to Christ.) (RE Hebrews 1:12, emphasis added).
[16] RE T&C 139:6, “. . . without compulsory means.”
[17] “But be not called Rabbi, for one is your Master, who is Christ, and all you are brethren. And call no one your creator upon the earth, or your Heavenly Father, for one is your creator and Heavenly Father, even he who is in Heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your Master, even he whom your Heavenly Father sent, who is Christ; for he has sent him among you that you might have life. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant, and whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased of him, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted of him” (RE Matthew 10:26, emphasis added).
[18] See footnote 5
[19] See footnote 6
Scott Roderick
1/15/2025
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