Prophetic Crossroads : A Cautionary Tale - Part 3 : Adoption Reversed(revised)

Adoption Reversed

          Adoption is generally considered two parents assuming responsibility for providing and nurturing someone not conceived by them. Adoption from a Gospel perspective is reversed. A person is not adopted by parental selection. Adoption in the economy of God respects the agency of individuals. Everyone determines their spiritual lineage by emulating those whom they serve. [1] The choice may be conscious or random, but every choice reflects a decision between discipleship to the Lord or Satan. The Savior taught this to Jewish leaders confronting Jesus when he stated they were in the bondage of sin.

“If the Son [Christ] 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 [Jewish leaders] said to him [Jesus], 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 [to revelation] 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, The Testimony of Saint John 6:19, emphasis added).

          Jesus distinguished spiritual lineage from literal lineage by whom we choose to follow and how we follow them. The Jews claimed Abraham as their father. Jesus countered by saying, “If you were Abraham’s children you would do the works of Abraham.”

After accusing Jesus of being the product of extramarital affairs the Jewish leaders claimed they descended from God, the Father. After refuting their claim, Jesus cut to the chase by declaring the Jewish leaders followed Satan, the accuser. Like him, they emulate his example as accuser, murderer and father of lies. The devil seeks his own agenda as opposed to the Savior who taught only truth He received from the Father. The Savior pursued the Father’s agenda exclusively.

          The Savior concludes his statement with an interesting point. “Because you do not follow the Most High God, you cannot hear him.”  People fail to understand this point. They become cynical and agnostic because they cannot hear God’s voice when His words are spoken. [2] It is not because God selectively chooses one person over another. It is because only those who seek God enjoy the privilege of hearing His voice when He or His servants speak. He speaks to us through the power of His Spirit and His Spirit will not always strive with a man but withdraws when we refuse to heed its promptings.

          Beginning with Noah and perusing the landscape of scripture, the Lord made the following declarations to His prophets regarding how long His Spirit will strive with a man:

And the Lord said unto Noah:

“My spirit shall not always strive with man . . .” (RE Genesis 5:7, emphasis added).

Nephi:

“. . . Because they yield to the accuser and choose works of darkness rather than light, they will certainly go down to hell. The Spirit of the Lord won’t always help mankind fight temptation. And when the Spirit stops helping mankind fight temptation, a rapid destruction will come, and this distresses my soul” (CofC 2 Nephi 11:11, emphasis added).

Mormon:

“My son, this thing shouldn’t be. Because repentance is for those who are under condemnation and the curse of a broken law. The beginning step following repentance is baptism. And baptism comes through faith in order to fulfill the commandments; and fulfilling the commandments brings remission of sins; and the remission of sins brings meekness and a humble heart. And because of meekness and a humble heart comes the presence and gift of the Holy Ghost, and this Comforter fills with hope and perfect love, and this love endures by being diligent in prayer until the end comes, when all the holy ones will live with God. My son, I’ll write to you again if I don’t return soon to battle the Lamanites. The pride of this nation — that is, the Nephites — has made their destruction certain, unless they repent. Pray for them, my son, so that repentance can come to them. But I’m afraid the Spirit has stopped struggling with them. . .” (CofC Moroni 8:5; emphasis added). 

The Lord:

“. . . The Lord talked with Jared’s brother for three hours and chastised him because he didn’t remember to call on the Lord’s name. Jared’s brother repented of that evil and called on the Lord’s name on behalf of his companions who were with him. The Lord said to him: I’ll forgive you and your companions of their sins, but you must not sin anymore. You must remember that My Spirit won’t always influence mankind. Therefore if you persist in doing evil until you’re fully ripe, you’ll be cut off from the Lord’s presence. . .” (CofC Ether 1:8; emphasis added).

Mormon:

“. . . And now, my son, I’m afraid the Lamanites will destroy this people since they don’t repent. And Satan is continually stirring them up to be angry with each other. So I’m working with them constantly. When I speak God’s word with sharpness, they’re offended and grow angry with me. When I don’t use any sharpness, they harden their hearts against it. I’m afraid the Spirit of the Lord has stopped struggling with them. Indeed, they become so incredibly angry that it seems to me they aren’t even afraid of death. They’ve lost their love for each other and constantly thirst for blood and revenge. Now, my dear son, despite their hardness, let’s work diligently, because if we were to stop working, we would come under condemnation. We have a labor to perform while we inhabit our mortal bodies, so we can overcome the enemy of all righteousness and rest our souls in God’s kingdom” (CofC Moroni 9:1; emphasis added).

The Lord:

“. . . For I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven, and he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received. For my spirit shall not always strive with man, says the Lord of Hosts. (RE T&C 54:5, emphasis added).

Nephi:

“. . . And if we’re faithful to Him, we’ll reach the promised land. At some time in the future, you’ll know the Lord’s word concerning Jerusalem’s destruction will be fulfilled, since everything the Lord has said about Jerusalem’s destruction is certain to happen. The Spirit of the Lord will soon stop struggling with them, because they’ve rejected the prophets, thrown Jeremiah in prison, and tried to kill our father, driving him away. Because of this, I tell you that if you choose to return to Jerusalem, you’ll die with them as well. Now, if you want to make that choice, go back up there. But remember the words I tell you, that if you go, you’re sure to lose your lives too. This is what the Spirit of the Lord compels me to say to you” (CofC 1 Nephi 2:3; emphasis added).

Mormon:

“This account is for their descendants and for the Gentiles who care about the house of Israel and realize where their blessings come from. I know the Gentiles will mourn over the misfortunes of the house of Israel. Indeed, they’ll grieve over this people’s destruction. They’ll mourn that this people didn’t repent, to then be embraced in the arms of Jesus. Now this record is for the remnant of Jacob’s family. This account exists because God knows it was wicked to try and prevent it from being openly exposed. These things are to be hidden away with the Lord’s protection, so they can come forth when He decides it’s the right time. This is the commandment I’ve received. They’ll become available according to the Lord’s commandment when in His wisdom He determines it’s proper. This record will go to the unbelieving Jews. They’ll get it to persuade them that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This is so the Father through His Most Beloved can accomplish His great commitment to restore the Jews and the whole house of Israel to the lands of their inheritance, which the Lord their God has given them, to fulfill His covenant. It’s also for the descendants of this people to more fully believe in His gospel taught to them by the Gentiles. This people will be scattered and become a dark, filthy, and repulsive people, beyond the description of anything before among us or what happened among the Lamanites. This is the result of their unbelief and idol worship. The Spirit of the Lord has already stopped influencing their fathers. They’re without Christ and God in the world, and they’re driven about by the wind like chaff. They were once a delightful people. They had Christ for their shepherd; indeed, they were even led by God the Father. But now they’re led about by Satan, just like chaff is driven by the wind, or like a vessel tossed about on the waves without a sail, anchor, or anything to steer her with; just as she is, so are they. The Lord has reserved the blessing they could have received in the land for the Gentiles who will occupy the land. They’ll be driven and scattered by the Gentiles. After they’ve been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, then the Lord will remember the covenant He made with Abraham for the whole house of Israel. The Lord will also remember the prayers of the righteous offered to Him on their behalf.

Then, all you Gentiles, how will you survive against God’s power unless you repent and turn away from doing evil? Don’t you realize you’re in God’s hands? Don’t you realize He has all power and at His great command the earth will be rolled together as a scroll? Therefore repent and humble yourselves before Him so His judgment isn’t imposed also on you, with the remnant of Jacob’s descendants coming among you as a young lion to tear you apart, with no one to rescue you” (CofC Mormon 2:6-7; emphasis added).

Denver Snuffer Jr.:

“Those who've entered faithfully into the covenant this day are going to notice some things. The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly more angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold. There is increasing anger and resentment of gentiles. In political terms, it’s rejection of white privilege. Language of scriptures description of the events now underway calls it the end of the times of the gentiles. [3] This process with the spirit withdrawing, will end on this continent, as two prior civilizations ended in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as that light becomes eclipsed, the coldness of men’s hearts is going to result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked. The covenant, if it is kept, will prevent you from losing light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. The time will come when you will be astonished at the gulf between the light and truth you will comprehend and the darkness of mind of the world. Be charitable and patient and labor to reach others. They will judge you harshly, but nevertheless be kind to them. They’re going to grow to fear you, but that’s only part of how darkness responds to light. Give them no reason to fear you. The time will come for us to gather, but between now and then, be leaven. Preserve the world. Be salt. Preserve the world, even if it hates you. (Closing Remarks, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.1, emphasis added).  

          Evidenced by these scriptures, our daily walk involves a perpetual process of choices adding or withdrawing the Spirit of God from our lives.[4]

There is a point at which the Spirit of the Lord ceases striving with us. When that time arrives those with whom the Spirit ceases are cut- off from the Lord’s presence and eventually face imminent destruction. Their destruction is a merciful act to stop them from further condemnation by relieving them from the consequences of their poor choices. Wise choices are required of the Lord when it comes to Him and His servants. We must learn to judge righteously.

“Wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the Devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil. And the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they may know good from evil. Wherefore, I shew unto you the way to judge. For everything which inviteth to do good and to persuade to believe in Christ is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ. Wherefore, ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the Devil, for after this manner doth the Devil work; for he persuadeth no man to do good, no not one, neither doth his angels, neither do they who subject themselves unto him. And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge, ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil. And if ye will lay hold upon every good thing and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. (RE Moroni 7:3, emphasis added).

          Some call it intuition, others common sense. Everyone is given the light of Christ to guide them in their return to His presence. Those who lay hold on every good thing become children of Christ, by adoption. We are led to repentance by feelings of guilt and joy. Guilt, when our choices cause withdrawal of the Spirit of Christ. Joy when we choose correctly and receive an increase in Spirit, light, and truth.

          Following repentance we witness our willingness to covenant with God by baptism. Included in the covenant is the promise we take upon ourselves His [Christ’s] name [adoption] and always remember the Savior. Taken literally, one struggles to imagine how we fulfill this commitment to God. How is it possible to “take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember Him, that they might have His Spirit to be with them?” [5] 

          The answer is found in how we live our lives. Do we remember Him in how we conduct ourselves in dealing with our fellow man? [6] Do we strive to act as the Savior would given the same circumstances? Or do we rationalize and compromise His principles we espouse because of situational ethics? Lectures on Faith make clear what is required for us to claim covenant blessings; we must live precisely as those who honored divine covenants before us. Follow the examples and teachings of the Patriarchal Fathers, the dispensation heads. [7] That is how our hearts turn to them and their hearts to us.

“It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs [family members] with those [the faithful], or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him. (Smith, Joseph. Lectures on Faith: Restoration Edition (pp. 65-66). Restoration Scriptures Foundation. Kindle Edition, emphasis added).

          The objective of God and us is perfection through correct choices over “endless lives.” [8] Perfection is conceptually possible in mortality because the only difference between a perfect person and one who is imperfect are their choices. Practically, it takes more cycles than our mortal experience, contingent on our willingness to submit our will to the Savior’s. [9] When we use our agency to conform as best we can, Christ and His Atonement make way for our transformation into His image to lead us over the line of perfection and into the Father’s presence. [10] 

Becoming An Heir Through Adoption

“Joseph Smith first mentioned “adoption” in a discussion about the Kingdom of God in October 1843, eight months before his death. He began the actual practice of adopting men, but it did not get well enough defined for the rite to continue following his death. Joseph’s original instruction connected the living faithful to the “fathers” Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [Spirit of Elijah]. This connection was through Priesthood, not genealogy. Joseph was connected by his Priesthood, becoming a “father” to all who would live after him. Families would be organized under Joseph, as the father of the righteous in this dispensation. Accordingly, men were sealed to Joseph Smith as their father, with they as his sons. This was referred to as “adoption” because the family organization was priestly, according to the law of God, not biological. As soon as Joseph died, the doctrine began to erode, ultimately being replaced by the substitute practice of sealing genealogical lines together. In between the time of original adoptive sealing to Joseph Smith and the current practice of tracking genealogical/biological lines, there was an intermediate step when families were tracked back as far as research permitted, then the line was sealed to Joseph Smith. That practice is now forgotten and certainly no longer practiced. The growing uncertainty, redefinition, and abandonment of the practice of “adoption” has been traced in an article which appears in the Journal of Mormon History. It demonstrates how quickly the topic became confused. When Joseph died, all understanding of the practice of “adoption” was quickly lost. Joseph Smith regarded adoption to be important for salvation. It was lost when he died. Before the Lord’s return, this will need to be clarified by the Lord returning to a place on the earth in which He can come and restore again that which was lost…even the fullness of the Priesthood (T&C 141:10) and its attendant rites. This is an orderly process that was ordained in Heaven before the creation and implemented at the time of Adam, and it must be followed in every generation. Until mankind receives the “kingdom” (or Family of God) and the Fathers in Heaven, in strict order, they will remain unprepared for the Lord’s return. The hearts of the Fathers and hearts of the children must be sealed together. Pretenders cannot accomplish it, because they will neither know how nor have the authority” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Adoption, second edition, pp.7-8; emphasis added).

There are two types of adoption in this context. The two types are adoption through genealogical lines and adoption through Priesthood lines. Joseph Smith introduced the second, Priesthood eight months prior to his death. As a dispensation head and Patriarchal Father, Joseph Smith began practicing the Priesthood adoption by sealing contemporary men to him. This was supposedly the beginning of a righteous generation of men gaining access to the blessings of Abraham and all Patriarchal Father’s through Joseph Smith.

          Joseph Smith’s teachings were eroded when the flow of revelation withdrew with his passing; as in Moses’ day. The higher law was replaced with a lesser law because people were unwilling to receive what the dispensation head offered. The loss of the greater covenant was accompanied by dilution in the teachings introduced by the dispensation head. Priesthood adoption was eventually replaced with genealogical adoption practiced today.

          According to Joseph Smith’s teachings on the subject, adoption was “important for salvation.” Without the practice of Priesthood adoption earth could not be prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This connection to the Patriarchal Fathers was necessary preparation to avoid the earth being burned at His Second Coming. [11]

          Priesthood adoption reverses the order of traditional adoption. Candidates for Priesthood adoption seek after Priesthood adoption but do not aspire to it. That may seem contradictory, but there is a distinction between seeking adoption and aspiring to it.

            Abraham sought the Priesthood of the Father’s but did not aspire to it.

“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, [12] desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, [13] and to be a greater follower of righteousness [= greater Priesthood power], and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father [Patriarchal Priesthood] of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, [14] a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers: it came down [from Heaven] 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).

From the beginning Abraham was “a follower of righteousness.” He was one of few men who learned the “one lesson.” That the rights of the Priesthood can only be controlled or handled upon the principles of righteousness.” Priesthood empowerment is always and forever contingent on the righteousness of the Priesthood holder. Religious institutions have no authority to bestow Priesthood power. [15] God entrusts those with power who don’t aspire to control or handle it to subject others. The Lord declared to Joseph Smith that “NO POWER OR INFLUENCE CAN OR OUGHT TO BE MAINTAINED BY VIRTUE OF THE PRIESTHOOD.” [16]

That is a constant, unwavering eternal law. When it is violated, all Priesthood is withdrawn and the power and authority of that man becomes null and void. “They are left unto themselves” to persecute those they preside over and fight against God. Institutional bestowal has no role or ability to control God’s Priesthood power. That is why the greatest persecution of God’s servants is from those claiming falsely to bear His Priesthood by institutional right.

Abraham did not obtain the Patriarchal authority and power by competing for it. Men who aspire to the Priesthood displaying this mentality rely on extraordinary means to enforce it. People seeking it do so by meekly submitting to those who rightfully attain this Priesthood by righteous obedience. Nothing Patriarchal Fathers do is by “compulsory means.” [17] Abraham obtained a record of the Fathers but the record did not qualify him to claim Patriarchal blessings. The record inspired him to seek those blessings without aspiration:

“Abraham received the records going back to Adam and were passed down through generations to him. Despite having the records and testimony of the first fathers from which he learned about the Holy Order, Abraham did not hold it [Holy Order] merely because he learned of it. It inspired him to seek “for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto [he] should be ordained to administer the same.” 

Abraham spoke with God “face to face” when he was not yet a member of the Holy Order. God also revealed to Abraham a vision of the creation of this world, and its destiny, while still not a member of the Holy Order.

Joseph Smith told us exactly when Abraham received his priestly appointment that is ‘without father or mother, beginning or end of days, but is endless and eternal.’ He also clarified who bestowed it. Despite all Abraham had received before, the Holy Order was not conferred upon him until he met and was initiated by Melchizedek. Abraham explained the process:

“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.” Melchizedek, was a ‘king and priest’ and “stood as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam” and from him Abraham received the required initiation into the Holy Order.

In the talk Religion of the Fathers, I explained that the Book of Abraham covered events in Abraham’s life before he entered Egypt. It was years after he left Egypt before Abraham met with Melchizedek and was initiated into the Holy Order. [18] Abraham honored the Order and received it because he was not aspiring to supplant the man who presided. Instead he respected and honored the rights that belong to the Fathers. Had he wanted to supplant Melchizedek he would not have qualified for the ordinance:

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 Heaven], 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.”

That could never have happened for Abraham if he did not obtain it in the right way, with the right intent, from the one who could confer it upon him. Periodic fighting over who had the right was always evidence of aspiring, untrustworthy men seeking their own vainglory. Abraham was faithful and unaspiring, but also seeking and willing.

The Lord trusted Abraham because he (Abraham) respected the man chosen by the Lord to stand at the head before him. By respecting Melchizedek, Abraham also respected all the fathers, from Adam through Melchizedek, chosen by God as His representatives on earth. Because Abraham was to become part of that Family, the Lord could say to him:

“And you shall be a blessing unto your seed after you, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations. And I will bless them through your name; for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after your name and shall be accounted your seed, and shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father. And I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you. And in you (that is, in your Priesthood) and in your seed, (that is, your Priesthood) — for I give unto you a promise that this right shall continue in you and in your seed after you (that is to say, the literal seed or the seed of the body) — shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 3:1; emphasis added).

For the purpose of this talk, it is important to understand certain terms. The term “this gospel” includes not just the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also the fullness of the Priesthood. Those who become part of the Holy Order necessarily recognize Abraham as a Father to them, and they in turn become his “seed” or descendants. Abraham was adopted as son to Melchizedek, which made Melchizedek father to Abraham. Subsequently, all those who were added to the line holding the fullness of the Priesthood became adopted descendants to Abraham. That is why it is written they “shall rise up and bless you, as unto their Father.”

Melchizedek was “Father” to the righteous at the time Abraham was seeking for the blessing of the Fathers. Because Abraham honored the position occupied by Melchizedek, heaven took notice. As stated before, Abraham was faithful and unaspiring, but also seeking and willing. If he hoped to displace, or compete, or stand independent of Melchizedek he would not have been qualified, nor even considered by heaven” (The Holy Order Part 2, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.5-7; emphasis added).

For anyone to be considered by the Heavenly Council for adoption into the Patriarchal Order of Fathers’ one must first seek but not aspire and willingly comply with the light delivered by them. Only when one displays the attributes of Abraham, living in righteousness can we hope to attain membership in the fraternity of righteous Fathers.

[1] “Gotta Serve Somebody,”

“You may be an ambassador to England or France, You may like to gamble, you might like to dance, You may be the heavyweight champion of the world, You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls,

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody, It may be the devil or it may be the Lord But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

Might be a rock’n roll addict prancing on the stage, Might have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage, You may be a businessman or some high degree thief, They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re going to have to serve somebody. You may be a state trooper, you might be an young turk, You may be the head of some big TV network, You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame, You may be living in another country under another name.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a construction worker working on a home, You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome, You might own guns and you might even own tanks, You might be somebody’s landlord, you might even own banks.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes, You’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride, You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side, You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair, You may be somebody’s mistress, may be somebody’s heir.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

Might lie to wear cotton, might like to wear silk, Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk. You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread, You may be sleeping in a king-sized bed.

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may call me Terry, you may call me Jimmy, You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy, You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray, You may call me anything but no matter what you say,

You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed, You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody. (Music and Lyrics by Bob Dylan).

[2] “Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen” (RE T&C 54:7; emphasis added).

[3] “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 [the Gentiles], and it shall be the fullness of my gospel [and Priesthood], 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 [see RE T&C 141:13]; 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).

[4] “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 from the wicked, and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now.

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 82:18-20; emphasis added).

[5] “. . . And the elder or priest did minister it; and they did kneel down with the church and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying, O God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his spirit to be with them. Amen” (RE Moroni 4, emphasis added).

“The manner of administering the wine. Behold, they took the cup and said, O God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his spirit to be with them. Amen” (RE Moroni 5, emphasis added).

[6] “And then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? Or thirsty, and gave you drink? When did we see you a stranger, and took you in? Or naked, and clothed you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came unto you? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me” (RE Matthew 11:22-24, emphasis added).

[7] “. . . The Patriarchal [Priesthood] is an association with the Father and makes one a son of God.⁵ There are three levels of priesthood. There are three members of the Godhead. There is a different member of the Godhead associated with the three levels of salvation, the three levels of Divine ministration, and correspondingly, the three levels of priesthood. There is a priesthood that belongs to the Telestial order (or the world where we presently live). There is a priesthood that belongs to the Terrestrial order (or this world in its paradisiacal state during the Millennium). There is a priesthood that belongs to the Celestial order (or the final redeemed state which men hope to inherit in the Father’s Kingdom). T&C 69 sets out these conditions of glory, and one can associate a level of priesthood with each. Doing so gives one a better grasp of the idea of fullness of the Priesthood. “The Patriarchal Priesthood is not defined in scripture. The most important point is that there is priesthood which exists, but is not contained within or conferred by [a] church. It comes from one source — the Father. To receive that, read The Tenth Parable and you will have a description of how it unfolds.” The Son is necessarily involved. He is the gatekeeper; He alone decides if a person is going to qualify. When the Son takes it as His work to bring a person before the Father, His ministry can take many years and is designed to cure what is wrong, fix all that is broken, and remove all that is impure in the candidate. Only when the Son can vouch for the individual is he brought before the Father. It is the Father who confers and ordains a man to the highest priesthood. Patriarchal Priesthood is obtained by meeting God in His temple, not merely in a ceremony on earth. In the last days, this priesthood will again be called the Holy Priesthood after the Son of God. The Priesthood at the end of the world will be a mirror image of what was in the beginning” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Patriarchal Priesthood, second edition, pp. 230-231; emphasis added).

[8] “The Law also says for you to love your neighbor, and lets you even hate your enemy. But now I say to you: Love your enemies also, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you, so you may become the children of your Father who is in heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Therefore everything ordained anciently under the Law of Moses has all been fulfilled through Me. Those prior things are over and I implement these new things. Therefore I want you to be perfect, just as I or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (CofC 3 Nephi 5:31; emphasis added).

“Then I returned from speaking with the Lord to my father’s tent. And he said to me: I’ve had a dream where the Lord commanded you and your brothers to return to Jerusalem. The assignment is to go to Laban who has the record of the Jews and my forefathers’ genealogy engraved on brass plates. The Lord has commanded for you and your brothers to go to Laban’s house, retrieve the records, and bring them down here in the wilderness. Your brothers are complaining, saying it’s a difficult thing I’ve asked them to do. But I haven’t asked them to do it. To the contrary, it’s a commandment from the Lord. So go, my son, and you’ll be blessed by the Lord because you haven’t complained. Then I told my father: I’ll go and do what the Lord has commanded because I know the Lord doesn’t give people any commandments without preparing a way for them to accomplish what He commands to be done. When my father heard this, he was very pleased since he could tell my understanding came from the Lord” (CofC 1 Nephi 1:10; emphasis added).

[9] “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. I suppose I am not allowed to go into an investigation of anything that is not contained in the Bible. If I do, I think there are so many over-wise men here, that they would cry "treason" and put me to death. So I will go to the old Bible and turn commentator today” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 398, emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition).

[10] “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore, the world knows us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure” (RE 1 John 1:13, emphasis added).

“But I hold a higher opinion of you. I conclude you have faith in Christ because of your meekness. Because if you don’t have faith in Him, then you aren’t fit to be included among the people of His congregation [congregation of the Firstborn]. Again, I want to speak to you about hope. How can you attain faith without having hope? So what will you hope for? You must have hope through Christ’s atonement and the power of His resurrection to be raised to life eternal, and you’ll have this hope because of your faith in Him, according to the promise [obtained from Him]. So if a person has faith, they must have hope, since without faith there can’t be any hope. Again, I tell you a person can’t have faith and hope unless they’re meek and humble of heart. Otherwise, their faith and hope are useless, since no one is acceptable before God except the meek and humble of heart.

If a person is meek and humble in heart and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, they must have charity. Because if they don’t have charity, they’re nothing; so they must have charity. Charity is long-suffering and kind; it doesn’t envy or brag; it doesn’t insist on its own way; it isn’t easily angered; it doesn’t keep track of wrongs; it takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth; it patiently bears all things, always believes, always hopes, and always endures. So, my dear people, if you don’t have charity, you’re nothing, since charity never fails. Therefore hold firmly to charity, which is the greatest of all. Because everything will pass away; but charity is Christ’s pure love, and it endures forever. Those who are found to possess it on the last day, it will go well with them. So, my dear people, pray earnestly to the Father so you can be filled with this love that He’s freely given to all who are true followers of His Son Jesus Christ, so you can become the sons and daughters of God, so when He appears, we’ll be like Him and we’ll see and comprehend Him, so we can have this hope, so we can be purified, just as He is pure. Amen” (CofC Moroni 7:8-9, emphasis added).

[11] “For behold, the day comes that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble. And the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [ancestry] nor branch [posterity]. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and you shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the Lord of Hosts” (RE Malachi 1:10; emphasis added).

[12] “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.

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; 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 [kingship] an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and your dominion shall be an everlasting [eternal] dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto you for ever and ever” (RE T&C 139:5-6; emphasis added).

[13] “And this greater Priesthood 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” (RE T&C 82:12; emphasis added).

[14] “There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law [of Moses] could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For they that are after the flesh do focus on the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are after the flesh cannot please God. But you are not after the flesh, but after the spirit, if so be that the spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, though the body shall die because of sin, yet the spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwells in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh, for if you live after the flesh, you shall die unto sin. But if you through the spirit do put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live unto Christ. For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be named with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God, for the creation was made subject to tribulation, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected it, in hope because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body” (RE Romans 1:33-34; emphasis added).

[15] “We have done very well at distributing the authority 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” (The Power of the Priesthood, Boyd K. Packer, April 2010, emphasis added).

Priesthood power is inseparably connected with the “Powers of Heaven” and cannot be controlled or handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. An institution may confer priesthood or issue a “call” or ordination to the priesthood. Only the Lord “chooses” someone to receive priesthood empowerment. The Lord will only choose them contingent their personal righteousness. It is the “one lesson” those who are “called” fail to understand. Lack of understanding this principle is the greatest obstacle to priesthood empowerment. Elder Packer speaks as if priesthood power, like the authority may be magically implemented when it is “plugged into” the family. That can only happen upon the principle of righteousness. (see RE T&C 139:5).

[16] “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; 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 [joint-heirs with Christ]” (RE T&C 139:6; emphasis added).

[17] “A title referring to a specific group 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 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. 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).'

[18] “The Family of God must welcome God’s presence again by providing sacred space for that return” (Holy Order Part 2, footnote 16).

Scott Roderick

12/16/2023

Prophetic Crossroads-A Cautionary Tale Part-3.pdf

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