Isaiah : Part 5 - Hezekiah

          In Isaiah’s record, two kings play pivotal roles in Israel’s past and future. They act as types or examples of events that have happened or will happen.[1] Hezekiah [Judah] is the past and Cyrus [Joseph] the future. More precisely, events repeat throughout Israel and the Gentile history.

“ . . . The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It has been already of old time, which was before us . . .” (RE Ecclesiastes 1:1, emphasis added).

Scholarly work in scripture generally focuses on historical accounts interpreted by contemporaries. Volumes upon volumes are written intending to find the “real truth” behind God’s interactions with mankind. This paper is a variation on that approach with a notable exception. The intention is to examine what is prophetically foretold and find historical examples acting as types for how those events were accomplished in the past.

          Beginning with remarks Joseph Smith made about king David anciently, the intent will be to parse what the prophet said for instructive details.

“Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the [Melchizedek] Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received [Aaronic, Spirit of Elias], and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 389, emphasis added). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.

It is indisputable David was a king. However, his royal reign was void of two critical components according to Joseph Smith. David never received the “Spirit of Elijah” or sealing power to lay claim on his kingdom in the eternities. He also fell short of receiving the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood accompanying the Spirit of Elijah. Failure to accomplish those “milestones” in Priesthood progression leads to his loss and transfer of what David acquired from himself to someone in the “last days” who shares his name and lineage. David’s latter-day heir accomplishes both and the Lord seals ancient David’s kingdom to the latter-day David.

          Joseph Smith stated David had a Priesthood and kingdom. Since David did not attain to the Spirit of Elijah and the “fullness” of the Priesthood, his Priesthood had to be Aaronic and the “Spirit of Elias.” It was preparation for something greater. Although durable, it is not enduring beyond this mortal existence.[2]

          There would be no benefit in Joseph Smith imparting this information about a future David from his lineage unless his successor accomplishes what ancient David could not. In Isaiah Part 4 we did an extensive exploration regarding the Spirit of Elijah and only touch on the subject in Part 5.

          An important question to consider is why ancient David was unable to obtain the Spirit of Elijah and the higher, Melchizedek Priesthood. It is important because the descendant of David in the last days must refrain from ancient David’s conduct to avoid disqualifying himself from obtaining the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood.

          This subject would be of keen interest to Joseph Smith because he was in the midst of trying to elevate his people from the Spirit of Elias to the Spirit of Elijah. On a personal level Joseph Smith accomplished that task and shared it with his elder brother, Hyrum.[3] However, the church’s ability to obtain the Spirit of Elijah was contingent on completing the Nauvoo Temple.

“And again, truly I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar, and send swift messengers, yea, chosen messengers, and say unto them, Come all of you, with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities, and with all who have knowledge of antiquities that will come, may come. And bring the box tree, and the fir tree, and the pine tree, together with all the precious trees of the earth, and with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious things of the earth, and build a house unto my name for the Most High to dwell therein. For there is not place found on the earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he has taken away, even the fullness of the Priesthood” (RE T&C 141:10, emphasis added).

At the time of this revelation the Lord states two irrefutable facts. Irrefutable, because He said it. The first fact was there was no place on earth at the time of this revelation where the Lord could restore a fullness of the Priesthood. The second irrefutable fact was the Priesthood fullness needed to be restored because their conduct caused them to forfeit the Priesthood fullness He had given them. Evidence of the forfeiture is found throughout various sections of the Doctrine and Covenants and Teachings and Commandments.[4]

          Debating or ignoring irrefutable facts is often rife with emotion but short on factual support. It occurs when one is more devoted to an established narrative than searching for truth. Behaviors causing David to forfeit his kingdom and Priesthood to a last days heir is are a means for disqualifying the last days David attempting to receive the Spirit of Elijah and the Priesthood fullness.

David goes from a “Man After My Own Heart” to “A Man of Blood”

          Saul, the first king of Israel fell for overstepping his bounds by offering sacrifice absent divine authority. Samuel arrived with instructions from the Lord to remove Saul and anoint David, the son of Jesse to be king over Israel. David was described as “a man after his [the Lord’s] own heart.”

“And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God which he commanded you. For now would the Lord have established your kingdom upon Israel for ever [Spirit of Elijah, Priesthood fullness]; but now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be captain over his people, because you have not kept that which the Lord commanded you. And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin” (RE 1 Samuel 6:4, emphasis added).

Saul forfeited his divine right to his Priesthood and kingdom when he offered sacrifice without divine authorization. Had he remained within the confines of the authority God granted him, the Lord would have awarded his kingdom to him forever. Presuming authority when none is given was sufficient to bring forfeiture of what was previously given. Saul continued to function as king after and David respected his anointing knowing full well the kingdom had passed from Saul to him.

          David, as a young man, continued to be “a man after the Lord’s heart” for a time. After many years of war and bloodshed David desired to build a temple to house the ark of the covenant and presumably receive the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood to seal the kingdom to himself in eternity.

          David abandoned his heart from the days of his anointing and engaged in conduct unbecoming a king of peace and righteousness. When the desire came for David to build the temple, he had the means, materials and power to build it to the Most High God but the Lord forbade him to do so.

“And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. Then David the king stood up upon his feet and said, Hear me, my brethren and my people. As for me, I had in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building; but God said unto me, You shall not build a house for my name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood” (RE 1 Chronicles 12:1, emphasis added).

There are several noteworthy points to take from this account. David had all earthly requirements for constructing an elaborate temple to the Lord, as we now do.[5] However, the temple was not the primary objective for obtaining the Spirit of Elijah and fullness of the Priesthood. To benefit from a consecrated building, one must be cleansed from sin and prepared to converse with angels and the Lord.[6] Beings who dwell in everlasting burnings cannot be in the presence of the unwashed without destroying them. The Lord’s intent is to have a people cleansed and prepared to receive angels and eventually Himself. David’s shedding of blood was so egregious the Lord forbade him from building the temple. David left that to his son, Solomon.

          In addition to shedding blood, David was guilty of sins associated with that sin.[7] He committed adultery and attempted to cover his sin by murder.

“My [Jacob, Nephi’s brother] people, I’ve spoken to you about pride. Those of you who have reviled your neighbors, looking down on them because you were proud in your hearts for what God has given you, how can you explain this? Don’t you think such things are offensive to the One who created all mankind? Each person is as precious to Him as another. Mankind was made from the dust; and He has created everyone for the very same purpose: to keep His commandments to glorify Him forever. Now I’m done speaking to you about this pride. And if I didn’t have to speak to you about a worse sin, my heart would be very glad because of you. But God’s word weighs me down because of your more obscene sins. The Lord says: This people are beginning to increase in iniquity; they don’t understand the scriptures, trying instead to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms because of what’s written about David and his son Solomon. Indeed, David and Solomon had many wives and concubines — something offensive to Me, says the Lord.

Therefore the Lord says: I led this people from the land of Jerusalem by My power so I could make from Joseph’s offspring a righteous branch that will follow Me. Therefore I won’t let this people do like others did in the past. So, my people, listen to me and hearken to the Lord’s word: No man among you is to have more than one wife — and he is not to have any concubines. I the Lord God delight in women’s chastity and prostitution is an abomination to Me — says the Lord of Hosts. Therefore this people must keep My commandments, says the Lord of Hosts, or the land will be cursed on their account.

For in My Wisdom I will have covenant people, says the Lord of Hosts, whom I’ll command and lead, and they will hearken to this commandment to have only one wife” (CofC Jacob 2:6-7, emphasis added).

Another sin of David and Solomon offending the Lord was having “many wives and concubines.” In the Covenant of Christ, after chastening his people over their pride, Jacob lamented the Lord made him address a “worse sin.” That sin was engaging in sexual relations with more than one wife.

          Two major sins David committed kept him from attaining the Spirit of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood. They were shedding blood and infidelity. Any attempt to construct a temple on a foundation of these sins would result in a stern rebuke from God and withdrawal of the Spirit of Elijah and the attendant Priesthood. The Lord rejected both David and his son Solomon for this sin. The latter built the temple but its effect was not lasting and was later overthrown.

          The Savior was the perfect example of what a king should be, but He was not what the Jews traditionally expected. For the Jews, David was the consummate prototype. He was the temporal Savior they had come to expect.

          Hezekiah, a contemporary of Isaiah was heir to the throne in his mid-twenties and established a type for Israel’s gathering in the last days. He is the type for the Davidic figure in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. I’ve written about that subject in my book, “Our Future is Our Past” also covering much of this subject in papers found on this website. Those papers are searchable for those interested in this or other subjects.

          Establishing Hezekiah as a type for the latter-day descendant of Jessie and Joseph is done by drawing a connection between the latter-day servant and Hezekiah. While the identity of the prophetic figure in the latter-days is a subject for debate, the link between him and Hezekiah is not. The servant in the last days is referred to as the “One Mighty and Strong.”

“And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter [emblem of kingship] of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering [righteousness], whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words [God’s words, revelation]; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God [8] and to arrange by lot the inheritances [latter-day David, who is now the “prince”[9] in Ezekiel 40-48] of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God” (D&C 85:7, emphasis added).

The brackets link the one mighty and strong to both the latter-day David who becomes a “prince” to the “King of Kings” and organizes the inheritances.

          Hezekiah is also linked to the one mighty and strong in that his refurbishing of the temple, sanctifying the Levites and gathering Israel were done according to the pattern established by David during his reign.[10]

          A difference between Hezekiah and Cyrus is the state of Israel in their respective periods. Under Hezekiah, Israel was in a state of decline and eventual bondage. Hezekiah’s early reign over Israel is a pattern established by David the king, Gad the seer, and Nathan the prophet. The same pattern plays a role in the end of days when Israel returns as one nation under God.

The Role of Lineage in the Last Days

          Lineage is generally considered a straightforward subject. Lineage is determined by bloodlines of ancestors of a person in question. The basic explanation is, we are the product of two bloodlines passing through our parents. In reality, those lines have been intermingled to the extent purity in bloodlines is impossible.

          In a spiritual and scriptural sense, bloodlines and heritage are fluid. They are not literal having at times to do with assigned roles and missions from God. We are each pieces in the puzzle of God’s plan for exalting mankind. Our roles, missions and gifts of the Spirit are unique and determined by what we have learned through prior cycles and must learn to advance in this cycle and how we learn it serving others. For those with fewer cycles of existence the personal needs for progression are greater. For the more tried and tested through eons of time, they move beyond personal tests having a more complex role in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. They may be sent to test others more than be tested. It is not a measure of those whom God loves over those He loves less. We all pass through stages of the same path of progression, but not simultaneously at the same level. The process of creating humanity out of the dust of the earth is perpetual.

          Rather than permanent assignment to specific bloodlines for eternity, God created a system of adoption reassigning our roles according our gifts and how they apply for the salvation of ourselves and all mankind.

          The Savior instructed the Jews on this subject in the Testimony of Saint John and met with resistance by the Pharisees when He said:

“Then Jesus repeated to them, I will continue onward following the path of my Father, and you will not accompany me, but will instead die under the burden of your sins. Therefore you cannot go where I will be. Then the Sanhedrin scornfully asked, Does he plan to kill himself? Is that why he said, The path he will take we will not join? And Jesus responded to them, You are from a lower estate. I am from the Heavens. You are stuck in this world, and I am not of this world. Because of this I said to you that you will die burdened with sins. If you do not believe that I am sent by the Most High God, bringing light and life with me, you will die burdened with sins. They said to him, So tell us who you claim to be. And Jesus answered them, I am the same as I told you from the beginning [pre-mortality].

I have many things to teach that will be used to judge you; and the one who sent me is the Source of all truth. I am teaching what he has sent me to teach and he provided my message. They did not understand that he was speaking the words of Father Ahman. Then Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am Son Ahman, and that I have done nothing on my own; but as my Father has taught me, I repeat his words. He sent me and accompanies me here; the Father has never abandoned my side. I always do the things that please him.

When he spoke these words, many believed on him” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:15-17, emphasis added).

The Savior’s role was to teach what the Father gave Him and to exemplify what obedience to those teachings looked like practically. He marked the path and defined every point along the way. Some received His witness, unburdened themselves of their sins by washing in His blood and began ascending on the path to the Father. The difference between the Savior and those listening was the distinction those who would not join with Him were from a lower estate. He was from Heaven.

          To walk the path with the Savior, one must shed their sins through repentance and baptism, becoming adopted by Him into God’s family, Israel. To fulfill the rights of adoption requires more than participating in ordinances. It is to experience a change of heart and receive the “mind of the Father.”[11]

          In the process of cleansing ourselves from sin, we participate in the right of adoption into the family of Christ and His Father. The witness to the Father of our adoption is our words with our works. Not because we are rewarded for them, though we are, but because they become a living testimony of our true heritage. Our actions toward our fellow man testify of our heritage. They witness to the Father if we are or are not the seed of Abraham filling our part in the family and kingdom of God.

“Then Jesus addressed those Jews who believed on him, Only if you continue to follow my teachings will you be my students indeed, because you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. The leaders interrupted to claim, We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been slaves to any man. Why do you say we will become free? Jesus answered them, In the name of Father Ahman I say unto you, Whoever misses the mark is the slave of errors. And such a slave will not be allowed to be within Abraham’s house in the resurrection, but the Son will remain part of God’s Family forever” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:18, emphasis added).

The Savior makes an important distinction in His response to the Jewish leaders. Sin is bad and should be repented of and avoided at all costs. But what is worse is the attendant blindness or ignorance keeping the sinner from discerning and embracing truth. The Glossary of Gospel Terms [second edition] provides an explanation of Ignorance:

“Many prefer ignorance to light. They will not draw toward the light when it is revealed to them, and, therefore, cannot comprehend what the Lord is teaching. It makes no sense to them for light is required in order to comprehend light; a person must be willing to increase in light, or he will be left in darkness and unable to apprehend any of what saves him. It remains a mystery. The way to darkness is broad and easy. It requires no effort. It welcomes one. It tempts mankind with its ease. It is popular, as there are many who go in thereat. Truth challenges. It requires change. It informs all of their faults and mistakes. It is difficult-man is called to rise above what the world is doing, what the world is saying, and what the world accepts as good and true . . . There will only be a few who will find it. Not in a relative sense, but in an absolute sense. Few. Period. Only a small number” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, second edition, Ignorance, pp.164-165, emphasis added).

Ignorance of the truth becomes evident in our actions and keeps us from becoming clean and knowledgeable. The Pharisees and Sanhedrin were blind to their ignorance. Not blind to the scriptures, but their inability to understand them and the Savior’s teachings. It requires light to understand light. They were “ever learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.”[12]

          When Jewish leaders disputed the Savior’s teachings could free them, because they were Abraham’s seed and never in bondage, the Savior corrected them with one observation:

“ . . . 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 . . . 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 . . . ” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:19, emphasis added).

In God’s economy, literal lineage plays a secondary role to spiritual lineage. We are born into our literal lineage with inherited attributes. They include tendencies from the natural man.

          This life intends to prepare us for God’s presence through a “rebirth” experience where the tendencies of the natural man are in submission to a spiritual man. The doctrine of Christ informs us of the required steps to rebirth. Faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the sanctification of our spirits instructs us in what God requires of us. That is the doctrine the Father gave to Christ and the only way for us to become perfected in Him.

The Lineage of the Root of Jesse

          The lineage of the “root of Jesse” being both from Jesse and Joseph may include literal blood lines passed through generations to him. For certain, receiving the spiritual blood lines of Jesse and Joseph is mandatory. King Benjamin’s sermon [received from an angel] to his people at the Temple is an example of the “rebirth” experience.

          Following Benjamin’s sermon his people who were at the Temple (implies) a earlier baptism, had the following response to the angels words delivered by the king.

“Now when king Benjamin had finished speaking the words that had been delivered to him by the angel of the Lord, he looked around at the crowd. Because the fear of the Lord overcame them, they had fallen to the ground. They looked at themselves in their carnal state [natural lineage], feeling no better than dust on the ground. In unison [transition from the natural mind to spiritual, mind of the Father], they cried out: Have mercy on us and purify our hearts with Christ’s atoning blood, that we might receive a remission of our sins. They believed in Jesus, the Son of God who created all things, heaven, and earth, and who would come down to mankind.

After they had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord embraced them and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins. And according to what king Benjamin had taught them, and because of the great faith they had in Jesus Christ, they gained peace of conscience” (CofC Mosiah 2:1-2, emphasis added).

When the king asked if they believed his words, the people replied in a unified voice (having received the Father’s mind):

“After king Benjamin had said all these things to his people, he sent out a message, asking his people if they believed what he taught them. And they all cried out with one voice, saying: Yes, we believe everything you’ve taught us. And we know these things are true because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has caused a big change in our hearts. We’re not inclined to do evil anymore, but rather want to continually do good. We, through God’s infinite goodness and the manifestations of His Spirit, can clearly envision what’s to come. And if necessary, we could even prophesy about all of it. And it’s our faith in the things our king has taught us that’s given us this valuable knowledge, which makes us rejoice! We’re willing to enter into a covenant with God, promising to obey His commandments and do His will for the rest of our lives. We don’t want to cause ourselves the never-ending torment described by the angel, nor do we want to incur God’s anger.

Now these are the words king Benjamin hoped to hear from them. Therefore he told them: You’ve said the words I wanted to hear, and the covenant you’ve made is a righteous covenant. Now because of the covenant you’ve made, you’ll be called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Today, He has spiritually begotten you. You’ve said your hearts have changed through faith in His name. As a result, you’re born of Him and have become His sons and daughters. You’re now free under His wings, and there’s no other Savior under whose wings you can be sheltered. There’s no other name given through which salvation comes. Therefore all of you who have made the covenant with God to be obedient for the remainder of your lives, take upon yourselves the name of Christ. Those who do this will be found at the right hand of God and will answer to the name of Christ” (CofC Mosiah 3:1-2, emphasis added).

The description of the spiritual rebirth of Benjamin’s people provides a “blue print” of what encompasses the rebirth experience. Guilt swept away, peace of conscience, no disposition to do evil but good “continually.” These are all “manifestations of the Spirit of God.” In addition to these manifestations there remains another critical component present when the Holy Ghost is manifest to men and women.

“It is one thing to see the kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it. We must have a change of heart to see the kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption to enter therein. No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 375-376). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.

Another manifestation of the “Spirit of God” is new light and knowledge is always conveyed. Joseph Smith asserted that “No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelation.” The prior list of characteristics combined with an endowment of knowledge provide the necessary confirmation someone receives the Holy Ghost and the adoption into the family of Christ.

“. . . and the manifestations of His Spirit, can clearly envision what’s to come. And if necessary, we could even prophesy about all of it. And it’s our faith in the things our king has taught us that’s given us this valuable knowledge, which makes us rejoice! ” (CofC Mosiah 3:1, emphasis added).

The “root of Jesse” would have undergone this spiritual rebirth experience to become a descendant of Jesse through the Savior’s adoption as a “Son of David.”[13] To further ratify the adoption of the “root of Jesse,” the Lord could give him the “new name” of David.

[1] “Now I tell you that you ought to carefully study these things. In fact, I give you a commandment to study these things diligently, because Isaiah’s prophecies are critical. He clearly focused his prophecy on My people who are part of the house of Israel. Therefore he necessarily prophesied about the Gentiles. And everything he prophesied has happened, or will happen, precisely as he foretold. Therefore pay careful attention to My words. Write down the things I’ve told you. At the time decided by the Father, they will be provided to the Gentiles. ₅And anyone who obeys My words, repents, and is baptized, will be saved. Carefully study the teachings of the prophets, because many of them explain these things” (CofC 3 Nephi 10:4, emphasis added).

[2] “Fortunately, Aaronic priesthood is exceptionally durable. Fortunately, unlike Melchizedek priesthood (which can only be exercised with extraordinary care and delicacy), Aaronic priesthood endures weaknesses and abuse. The purpose of Melchizedek priesthood, as I talked about in Orem, is to bless. The purpose of Aaronic priesthood is to condemn and to judge, and to set a law by which men can condemn themselves. Having the authority to do that to yourself is remarkably durable, and unfortunately used with great regularity to do just that. Those that have it generally abide by so lesser a law, that they wind up judging and condemning one another, and parading before God as a march of fools, yelling and yammering, pointing and blaming, complaining and bitching, about what everyone else's inadequacies are [where we are now]. The purpose of Melchizedek priesthood is to sound the signal: "Know ye the Lord." And eventually, that sermon will be heard by enough, that there will be none left who need to be told, "Know ye the Lord," for they shall all know Him. Then everyone will take up with Him their concerns, and not with one another]” (Know the Lord, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.7, emphasis added)

[3] “And again, truly I say unto you that my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed as a counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father by blessing, and also by right, that from here on out he shall hold the keys of the Patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people, that whoever he blesses shall be blessed and whoever he curses shall be cursed, that whatever he shall bind on the earth shall be bound in Heaven, and that whatever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph, that he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph, and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessings. I crown upon his head the bishopric, and blessing, and glory, and honor, and Priesthood, and gifts of the Priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery, that my servant Hyrum may bear record of the things which I shall show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable remembrance from generation to generation for ever and ever” (RE T&C 141:32, emphasis added).

[4] “And when that day shall come shall a remnant be scattered among all nations; but they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion. And men’s hearts shall fail them and shall say that Christ delays his coming until the end of the world, and the love of men shall wax cold and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel, but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.

And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another” (RE T&C 31:6-7, emphasis added).

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon, and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom. Otherwise, there remains a scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion, for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Truly, truly I say unto you, Nay” (RE T&C 82:20, emphasis added).

“Truly, truly I say unto you, darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face. Behold, vengeance comes speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth: a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation. And as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, says the Lord. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, says the Lord — first, among those among you, says the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, says the Lord” (RE T&C 124:6, emphasis added).

“The people living in 1841 were offered the fullness, oracles, ordinances, and conversations by the Lord. They would not receive it. They bickered,  fought for power and influence, and diverted resources away from the temple to construct their own houses. They engaged in abominable sexual sins, lied to conceal it, and conspired to spread their lustful conduct by attributing it to Joseph and Hyrum. They proved themselves utterly incapable of the serious discipleship necessary to obtain the Lord’s trust. We are not distinguishing ourselves from them” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.35-36, emphasis added).

[5] “We do not yet have even the possibility of building the Lord’s House. Although the Lord has provided everything necessary to accomplish that project, we do not have suitable candidates, and we lack the necessary means. We have some interest, and perhaps even a longing, but we lack the thirst and humility to acquire the skills necessary to reason together and resolve our differences amicably. If we continue on in the next few years the same as we have done for the last decade, we may gain increased understanding, yet more inspired instructions from the Lord, and be blessed by His gentle guidance. But right now, it seems unlikely to me that we will be able to reach the finish line to fulfill the prophecies, vindicate the covenants, and welcome the Lord’s return. So, I would ask us all to be more easily entreated by the Lord. To be easily persuaded, eager to respond with alacrity, humble, meek, and repentant. I cannot help but feel we should already have those qualities, feel the urgency, and readily align ourselves with the Lord’s will” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.36-37, emphasis added).

[6] “Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourself, make yourself clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land, but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it” (RE Isaiah 1:3, emphasis added).

[7] “I find it interesting that murdering and committing adultery are right together in this list of improprieties. I had a client who got who pled guilty. I didn't think he should have; I recommended that he not. But he pled guilty to a white-collar crime because he didn't want to take the risk of the trial . . . I told him not to do it; he did it anyway. And the judge rejected the 90-day recommendation of the prosecutor and sent him away for 14 years to 24 months in the state penitentiary. Well, this fellow was never ill-disposed to begin with. He didn't belong in prison to begin with. The whole thing was just nonsense. And he went out, and it didn't take the state penitentiary long to figure out that he was a good guy. He helped bring a literacy program into the prison. He helped some  guys get through their GED. And as luck would have it, murderers are a problem at the state penitentiary, so he was made the jail mate with murderers in order to calm them down and reduce the threat and make it easier for the guards. While he was there, he became friends with three murderers in the Utah State Penitentiary. All three murderers had committed murder as a consequence of adultery. So, linking murder and adultery together in the list that Alma provides is not just happenstance. Preaching against adultery and guarding yourself against that may keep you also distant from the kind of anger and violence that results in the shedding of blood and the misery of many souls, just like the Answer to the Prayer for Covenant mentions” (Equality, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp. 7-8, emphasis added).

[8] “Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now you [Levites] have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings, and as many as were of a free heart, burnt offerings. And the number of the burnt offerings which the congregation brought was seventy bullocks, a hundred rams, two hundred lambs — all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings. Wherefore, their brethren the Levites did help them until the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves (for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests). And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for every burnt offering.

So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people; for the thing was done suddenly” (RE 2 Chronicles 16:11-12, emphasis added).

[9] “And David my servant shall be king over them, and they [Israel] all shall have one shepherd. They shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelled. And they shall dwell therein — even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever [sealing power, kingdom]. And my servant David shall be their prince for ever [Priesthood fullness]” (RE Ezekiel 19:6, emphasis added).

[10] “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets” (RE 2 Chronicles 16:8, emphasis added).

[11] “From the foregoing account of the Godhead which is given in his revelations, the saints have a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith unto life and salvation through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, by whose blood they have a forgiveness of sins and also a sure reward laid up for them in Heaven, even that of partaking of the fullness of the Father and the Son through the spirit. As the Son partakes of the fullness of the Father through the spirit, so the saints are, by the same spirit, to be partakers of the same fullness, to enjoy the same glory, for as the Father and the Son are one, so in like manner the saints are to be one in them: through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the holy spirit they are to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith 5:3, emphasis added).

[12] “This know also: that in the last days, perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without self-control, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. From such turn away, for of this sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women loaded with sins, led away with diverse lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was” (RE 2 Timothy 1:8, emphasis added).

[13] “On the 10th day of September 2011 the word of the Lord said to me, You shall no longer be called Denver, but your name shall be called David. I was startled to hear this, and it troubled me. I regarded David as an adulterer and a murderer, who killed Uriah to hide his adultery. In response to Nathan’s parable of the rich man who took the poor man’s lamb in 2 Samuel 4:12, David condemned himself to die for his sin. If David considered himself worthy to die, then should I not also condemn David? The more I reflected on this, the more troubled I became. I asked God to give to me another name, not the unwanted David.

For a day and a half my distress grew, and I prayed repeatedly to have the name changed. I feared it memorialized and perhaps also foreshadowed failure and rebellion. I did not want to have the Lord view me as either rebellious or a failure. I thought the name was detestable, the name of a bloody man who was unfit to build the Lord’s house, whose family was torn apart by infighting. After a day and a half of prayer asking to change the name, the Lord answered in a perfectly mild voice saying, I thought it no great insult to be called the Son of David.

His gentle response cut my heart and made me ashamed. I learned David means: Beloved of God. This made me all the more embarrassed at how meanly I had reacted and spoken to the Lord about His gift to me. Instead of thinking it an unworthy name, I concluded I was unworthy of His gift. I asked Him to forgive me and he frankly did so. I am an ignorant and prideful man.

I expected to keep this private, and after doing so for six years, I have been commanded to make this known”

Scott Roderick

8/15/2025

Isaiah Part 5.pdf

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