Prophetic Crossroads - A Cautionary Tale : Part 1(Revised)

*There have been close to 100 papers posted to my website. Many of the earliest papers have been overlooked for various reasons. My intent is to edit and revise those papers for the purpose of making them more reader friendly. The first paper posted is timelier now than the original posting. The dated posts will have (Revised) under the title to distinguish them from more recent papers.

“We have yet to take the Spirit of Elias seriously enough to move on to receive something further. But we are now facing a crossroads in which it may be possible to restore again and continue the work and move forward. Moving forward successfully however, will require the Spirit of Elijah. This time the Spirit of Elijah is not to prepare a people so that they might ascend into heaven but instead to prepare a people so that those who come will not utterly destroy them. There must be a people prepared to endure the burning that is to come. Just as Enoch’s people were prepared, shielded and brought worthy to ascend so as not to be destroyed by the flood, the Spirit of Elijah must prepare people in order for them to endure the day that is coming that shall burn the wicked as stubble. That will be people living in a place of peace and they will be the only people who are not at war one with another. They will be people who accept a body of teachings and allow them to govern their daily walk; both with each other and with God, so that they receive “commandments, not a few” and “revelations in their day” because that is what the people of Zion must necessarily be willing to do. (Things to Keep Us Awake at Night, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.14, emphasis added).

          A crossroad is a point in a journey where a choice must be made. Does one continue their original path, or alter their course to align more with their objective? The answer to this question is determined by our commitment to arrive at our destination or outcome. If our hope is more a wish, we may be inclined to compromise and surrender our desire to matters of convenience. In contrast, when we approach our journey with uncompromising resolve and commitment the path we pursue is the ONLY path leading to our goal. There have been many examples of crossroads in scripture with various outcomes. Some arrived at their promised lands while others fell short.

Moses and Israel

          Following the Lord’s miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, Moses led Israel to their crossroad at Sinai. Arriving at Sinai, preparations were made to lead Israel to the mount and God’s presence.

“And this greater Priesthood [Spirit of Elijah] administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

Now, this, Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God, but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence. Therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his rest — which rest is the fullness of his glory — while in the wilderness.

Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also . . . RE T&C 82:12-14, emphasis added).

Moses led Israel to ascend to the mount and enter God’s presence, but they refused the Lord’s invitation.

Joseph Smith and the Beginning of the Restoration

At the June 1831 conference, Joseph Smith ordained five, and Lyman Wight ordained eighteen, for the total of twenty-three. For a moment they rejoiced. The heavenly priesthood returned! But the results that followed were anything but satisfactory. The authority did not “take” and the power did not come. Most of the men involved fell away and rejected Joseph shortly after their ordination. The more receptive of the men were left confused. The great blessing Joseph had waited years to receive turned into the first great crisis Joseph would confront. (The Holy Order, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.34, emphasis added).

Those ordained to the Holy Order were ill-prepared to receive it. They must have believed ordination alone was sufficient for God to grant them power given to Enoch and others. It was evident as enthusiastic as some were about their Priesthood ordination and potential power, their enthusiasm was short lived.

          The powers associated with this Priesthood include power, by faith to break mountains, divide seas, dry up waters, turn waters out of their course, put at defiance armies of nations, divide the earth, break every band, stand in God’s presence, do all things according to God’s will and command, subdue principalities and powers according to the will of the Son of God and protect Zion from destruction. [1]

         Following their ordination the absence of these powers led to questions regarding Joseph Smith’s inspiration to call these men and the validity of the Holy Order. Consequently, most if not all ordained to the Holy Order rebelled against Joseph Smith and abandoned the Church. Little is spoken of these events.

          Joseph was unwavering in his resolve to re-establish the Holy Order on Earth. He proceeded ordaining a second group with essentially a similar outcome. While two groups of ordained Holy Order members focused their criticism on Joseph, their criticism should have been on their lack of understanding and lack of self-awareness.

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen.” (RE T&C 139:5, emphasis added).

In the crossroad moments, failure to achieve power in the Holy Order is not a failure of the Lord’s servant but the inadequacies of those ordained by His servants.

          Given the less than stellar response by those ordained to the Holy Order, Joseph Smith set out to instruct the Church more fully regarding the Priesthood. It requires righteousness to form an inseparable connection with the “Powers of Heaven.” [2] The absence of righteousness causes the Heavens or Angels to withdraw from the individual, withhold their powers, and annuls the ordination.

 “Hence, many are called [ordained] but few are chosen [empowered].

On these occasions the Lord’s servants are blamed by the people for their failure to understand and comply with the laws associated with Priesthood empowerment. Joseph Smith lamented the inability of his followers to understand and receive what the Lord offered through him.

“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots [extraordinarily hard] with a corn-dodger [corn bread] for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle [hammer]. Even the Saints are slow to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen. (DHC 6:184-185, emphasis added).

The irony in these examples is the people claiming to follow the Lord’s servants reject their teachings while feigning devotion to them. To this day the Jews claim Moses as their great prophet pointing to his connection with God as evidence they are chosen by the Lord. The same is true of Latter-day Saints. They claim Joseph Smith as their prophet and, like Moses, he stood in God’s presence and was chosen by Him. By extension they presume to be chosen as well.

          In these and other examples, those claiming to be disciples of the dispensation head, when offered the Holy Order of Priesthood rejoice and relish their ordination while ignoring the absence of power in their Priesthood.

In 2010, Boyd K. Packer, the President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for the LDS Church, lamented in general conference that the church lacked priesthood power. As he stated:

“We have done very well at distributing the authority [ordination] of the priesthood. We have priesthood authority planted nearly everywhere. We have quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Power of the Priesthood, April 2010 LDS General Conference, emphasis added)

Priesthood power is contingent on the righteousness of those ordained to the Holy Order. It cannot be distributed by institutional authority. Recipients’ faith and God’s judgment are two determining factors on who receives Priesthood power and who does not.

          As we approach the crossroad where the Lord offers the Spirit of Elijah and the Restoration of the Holy Order, it is incumbent upon us to understand what is required of us. Venerating the Lord’s servant and borrowing His virtue in the hope of covering our own shortfall in righteousness has not worked before, nor will it work in our day. The Powers of Heaven [Angels, Patriarchal Fathers] cannot be handled or controlled will not be accessible today, absent true faith and righteousness.

Wash Yourself, Make Yourself Clean

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. (RE Isaiah 1:3, emphasis added).

In the beginning of Isaiah’s book is an admonition to all who read his record. His admonition is for us to wash the blood from our hands [sin] and make ourselves clean. Following Isaiah’s admonition is the first step toward seeking greater knowledge and Priesthood power.

Adam is in possession of authority or “keys” over the Holy Order. He has a say who will be involved in each dispensation. He now exercises the right of dominion in the councils of Heaven as a resurrected man. But salvation for the living must involve those who are living to bear the burden to preach repentance and faith on Christ. Salvation is, was and always will be a mortal challenge and mortal obligation. It is not a test to prove those who are immortal. It is to prove the living. (The Holy Order, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.15, emphasis added).

Repentance goes hand in hand with faith in Christ. A necessary first step required by the Lord for all mortals. Isaiah says we all have blood on our hands. Not that we all commit murder, rather our Savior’s blood was shed for our sins. With our blood we are stained by sin and with His blood we are cleansed.   

We should expect God’s house to be ordered around only one principle: repentance. When the pride of a great organization replaces repentance, the heavens withdraw, and when they do, “Amen” to that portion of God’s house. (The Holy Order, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.27, emphasis added).

Repentance-A Matter of Heart

After Jeremiah was carried captive into Babylon the Lord shared the following words of comfort to him:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord — thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end [hope]. Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will listen unto you. And you shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, says the Lord. (RE Jeremiah 11:1, emphasis added).

The Lord’s ways are matters of the heart. He requires our devotion to Him and that is why rote obedience absent sincerity of heart keeps the Lord hidden from casual seekers. [3] The burden of proof of God’s existence doesn’t rest upon Him, it rests upon us. If we desire an “expected end,” or promise of Eternal Life [4] we are required to call upon Him with real intent. [5]He promises to hear us and reveal Himself to us when our search for Him is heartfelt. [6] Obedience to the Lord’s command is not through rote observance. Our obedience must be rooted in our love for Him.

If you love me, keep my commandments . . . (RE John 9:8, emphasis added).

When Aaron, a son of Mosiah, preached to the father of king Lamoni, Lamoni’s father was so moved by Aaron’s message the great Lamanite king said the following:

“. . . What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his spirit that I may be filled with joy? That I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him, If thou desirest this thing, if thou will bow down before God — yea, if thou repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord upon his knees, yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying, O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God, and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me? And I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead and be saved at the last day . . . (RE Alma 13:9-10, emphasis added).

          The Lamanite king said he was willing to surrender his kingdom and all he possessed to have the “wicked spirit rooted out” and be filled with joy. After offering all he possessed in exchange for forgiveness of his sins, Aaron explained what the Lord required of him. If the king desired this great blessing all the Lord required was for the king to submit to God and repent of all his sins. If the king called upon God in faith, believing he would receive Aaron said he would receive the “hope” [expected end] the king desired.

          The king was willing to surrender everything, but the Lord was content with his offering of his sins. In response to the king’s plea the Lord granted his desire. The evil spirit was rooted out of him, and he was filled with joy.

          The pattern of forgiveness was not unique to the Lamanite king. There are numerous accounts of people who embrace the Gospel message, repent of their sins, ask forgiveness, and are lifted from the depths of despair instantaneously. Often the Lord’s response to the sincere, humble of heart is immediate. [7] 

          It is important to understand what happens when one is forgiven of their sins. Sin causes our withdrawal from God’s Spirit. When repented of, the sinner immediately draws closer to God, and their remorse of conscience is replaced with life changing joy. The response comes quickly and the effects are profound because of the contrast between the effects of sin verses the cleansing effect of forgiveness. Although dramatic, what occurs is the person experiences a return to innocence from which they had fallen. It is a joyful renewal. It returns the sinner to where they were prior to their withdrawal from God.

 [1] “For God, having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself that everyone being ordained after this Order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course, to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God, to do all things according to his will, according to his command subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this Order of God, were translated and taken up into Heaven” (RE Genesis 7:14, emphasis added).

[2] “A title referring to a specific group [of couples] 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 [couples] have no desire to control or compel others to rise on Jacob’s ladder. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth through which all must pass if they want to ascend nearer to God. Everyone on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Powers of Heaven, second edition, p.248; emphasis added).

[3] “The opposite of godliness; having the pretense of godliness or a form that mimics it. The Lord condemned the doctrines of men being taught for commandments when He said, They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…. They teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof (JSH 2:5). What does having a form of godliness, but [denying] the power thereof mean? Godliness means to be godly or close to God. It is possible to pretend to godliness (i.e., have a “form” that mimics it) without actually being close to God. The Lord lamented in the First Vision to Joseph Smith that men have merely a form of godliness — insubstantial, unredeeming, incapable of saving” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Form of Godliness, p.651, emphasis added).

[4] “Something far greater, more profound, more strongly felt, more firmly based than just expectancy from vague desire. Hope involves unshakable faith or confidence. Hope comes from “many revelations and the spirit of prophecy” and is based upon “witnesses” coming from beyond the veil to confirm the expectations. It causes faith which is “unshakable.” It is hope which is powerful, controlling, and causes a thing to come to pass because it is now their right to receive the thing promised. God has conferred that right upon them. Hope is more than a wish, as it requires one to secure a promise from God. It requires one to be at rest — secure in the knowledge the Lord has promised a glorious resurrection. Hope is waiting for the time of the Lord’s promise to be fulfilled. Hope describes the state of mind of the recipient during the time interval after the promise, but before its realization. Hope involves unshakable faith or confidence. It is a concrete assurance, based upon a promise or covenant. Hope comes from knowing the Lord has promised one something. As sure as God’s word cannot fail, one’s hope is secure in Him. But men and women only obtain that hope from Him by getting Him to make a promise to them.” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Hope, p.685, emphasis added).

[5] “. . . For behold, God hath said, A man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent, it profiteth him nothing . . .” (RE Moroni 7:2, emphasis added). 

[6] “Verily thus says the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsakes their sins, and comes unto me, and calls on my name, and obeys my voice, and keeps all my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am, and that I am the true light that lights every man who comes into the world . . .” (RE T&C 93:1, emphasis added).

[7] “Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. And he laid it upon my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged. Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me . . .” (RE Isaiah 2:2, emphasis added).

“And now it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold, they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them; and they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying, O have mercy and apply the atoning blood of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins and our hearts may be purified! For we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created Heaven and earth and all things, who shall come down among the children of men. And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words, the spirit of the Lord came upon them and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins and having peace of conscience because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ, who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them . . .” (RE Mosiah 2:1-2, emphasis added).

“Now this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind — which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness — yea, this light had infused much joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul. Yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God. Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only desire. Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the queen had desired him; and he saw the king and he knew that he was not dead. And he said unto the queen, He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again . . . And it came to pass that he arose according to the words of Ammon; and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the woman, and said, Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou; for as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him and he sunk again with joy . . .” (RE Alma 12:19-20, emphasis added).

Scott Roderick

12/16/2023

Prophetic Crossroads-A Cautionary Tale Part 1.pdf

Download PDF • 722KB