Scriptures
Pertaining to the Establishment of Zion
This paper is for the purpose of understanding, knowing, and identifying
the gift and power of the Holy Ghost and how we are to attain this gift in the
form of the endowment, as well as to understand the establishment of Zion in
obedience to Almighty God and Jesus Christ through the gift and power of the
Holy Ghost. Inasmuch as these are the Last Days and Zion is a promise of
God, it is necessary that we as His Saints fully comprehend that which lies
before us as revealed in the prophecies and visions given to us by God.
This paper is for the blessing and edification of the Saints such that
they may more fully respond to God in a way and manner that is pleasing to Him
such that they may be prepared for the endowment and the promised visitation of
Jesus. Praying over all that is presented and discussed is necessary
in order to receive a witness of the Holy Ghost as to the truth of what is being
shared as well as to know the source of that truth such that we can know of a
surety that what we are learning is that which is pleasing to Almighty God and
thus will allow us to be part of bringing forth and establishing the cause of
Zion in these the last days.
The Judgment of the Holy Ghost and the Endowment will be a simultaneous
event. For those Saints that are ‘righteous’ in the sight of God,
the experience shall be the Endowment.
For
those that are ‘unrighteous’, it shall be the Judgment.
The Endowment is the filling of ones soul with both the Power and the
Love of God with the Holy Ghost.
They
go hand and hand.
They are not
separate spiritual conditions.
The gift and power of the Holy Ghost allows us to walk and talk with God
and to hear his voice. Thus we then are able to do the “works of Jesus” based
upon the ‘assurance’ of “hearing the voice of Jesus”, thus our faith is
‘knowledge’ of this fact that Jesus is speaking to and commanding us to do a
‘work of the kingdom’, so that when a servant speaks the word in the name of
Jesus, the work of Jesus follows.
This
is how Zion will be established.
This is what Jesus desires to teach us, show us, and have us practice
once we are able to get Him in our midst.
This
then will be the beginning of Zion for those that love and obey Him unto the
blessing of all His children.
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts
with righteousness.
What I have said unto you, must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse; that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never considered;that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work, my strange work. That men may discern between the righteous and the wicked, saith your God. [Sec 98:12d,e
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we
at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall
not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we
hid ourselves;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and
righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
and the water shall overflow the hiding place.
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled,
and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall
pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he
shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his
strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath
surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring
fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
He
that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of
oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
.
Isaiah 28:15, 18, 19;
33:14-17.
[Sec 1:1b] for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all
men, and there is none to escape, and there is no eye that shall not see,
neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated;
[Sec 1:1c] and the rebellious shall be pierced with much
sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their
secret acts shall be revealed;
[Sec 1:1d] and the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days, and they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.
1. The Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost - Why is there a Holy Ghost -
Read
and Hear Bob Murdoch's Testimony
Psa
39:1 I said, I will take heed to my
ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while
the wicked is before me.
Psa
39:2 I was dumb with silence, I
held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
Psa
39:3 My heart was hot within
me; while I was musing the fire burned; then spake I with my tongue,
[Sec
8:1c] yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the
Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you, and which shall dwell in your heart.
[Sec 8:2a] Now, behold, this is the spirit of
revelation; behold, this is the Spirit by which Moses brought the children of
Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground;
[Sec 9:3a] Behold, you have not understood; you
have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought, save it
was to ask me;
[Sec 9:3b] but, behold, I say unto you, that you
must study it out in your mind;
[Sec 9:3c] then you must ask me if it be right,
and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you;
therefore, you shall feel that it is right;
[Sec 9:3d] but if it be not right, you shall have
no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought, that shall cause you
to forget the thing which is wrong;
[Sec 50:1a] Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth.
[Sec
50:1b] Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which
are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world: and
also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
[Sec
50:6c] And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the
truth, that you may chase darkness from among you, for he that is ordained
of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding
he is least, and the servant of all:
[Sec
50:6d] wherefore, he is possessor of all things, for all things are
subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life, and the light, the
spirit, and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father, through Jesus
Christ, his Son;
[Sec
50:6e] but no man is possessor of all things, except he be purified and
cleansed from all sin; and if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye
shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done:
And
it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice, nevertheless, and
notwithstanding it being a small voice, it did pierce them that did hear, to the
center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to
quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their
hearts to burn. 3Nephi 5:5
And
they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he
talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Luke 24:31
Acts
19:5 When they heard this, they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts
19:6 And when Paul had laid his
hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and
prophesied.
[Gen
6:53] And he also said unto him, If thou wilt, turn unto me and hearken unto my
voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even
in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth,
which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby
salvation shall come unto the children of men; and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask it
shall be given you.
[Gen
6:69] And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying, Thou art baptized with fire
and with the Holy Ghost; this is the record of the Father and the Son, from
henceforth and
forever;
[Gen
6:70] And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days
or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.
[Gen
6:71] Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons.
Amen.
[Gen
7:15] And so great was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God, and
their enemies came to battle against them, and he spake the word of the Lord,
and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command.
[Gen
7:16] And the rivers of water were turned out of their course, and the roar
of the lions was heard out of the wilderness.
[Gen
7:17] And all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and
so great was the power of the language which God had given him.
[Gen 7:22] And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
[Gen
7:23] And the Lord called his people, Zion, because they were
of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor
among them.
[Gen
7:34] And the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers
of heaven into Zion.
Gen
14:26] Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and
when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the
violence of fire.
[Gen
14:27] And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest
after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,
[Gen
14:28] It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by
man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of
days nor end of years; but of God;
[Gen 14:29] And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.
[Gen
14:30] For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by
himself; that every one 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;
[Gen
14:31] 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.
[Gen
14:32] And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were
translated and taken up into heaven.
[Gen
14:33] And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained
peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.
[Mat
5:4] Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into
the depth of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited
with fire and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.
Mat
5:8] And blessed are all they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for
they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[John
7:39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should
receive; for the Holy Ghost was promised unto them who believe, after that
Jesus was glorified.)
[Acts
1:2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy
Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen;
[Acts
1:3] To whom also he showed himself alive after his sufferings by many
infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God;
[Acts
1:4] And, being with them when they were assembled together, commanded them
that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
[Acts
1:5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the
Holy Ghost not many days hence.
[Acts
1:6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord,
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
[Acts
1:7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power.
[Acts
1:8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you;
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
[Acts
2:1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with
one accord in one place.
[Acts
2:2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[Acts
2:3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it rested
upon each of them.
[Acts
2:4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[Acts
2:36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made
that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[Acts
2:37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[Acts
2:38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
[Acts
2:39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
[Acts
2:41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[Acts
2:42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[Acts
2:43] And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by
the apostles.
[Acts
2:44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[Acts
2:45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as
every man had need.
[Acts
4:29] And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
[Acts
4:30] By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
[Acts
4:31] And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake
the word of God with boldness.
[Acts
4:32] And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one
soul; neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was
his own; but they had all things common.
[Acts
4:33] And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all.
[Acts
4:34] Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things
that were sold,
[Acts
4:35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made
unto every man according as he had need.
[Acts
4:36] And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being
interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
[Acts
4:37] Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
[Acts
5:1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession,
[Acts
5:2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and
brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
[Acts
5:3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the
Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[Acts
5:4] While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it
not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou
hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
[Acts
5:5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost; and
great fear came on all them that heard these things.
[Acts
5:6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
[Acts
5:7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not
knowing what was done, came in.
[Acts
5:8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so
much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
[Acts
5:9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy
husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
[Acts
5:10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost;
and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried
her by her husband.
[Acts
5:11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard
these things.
[Acts
5:12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
[Acts
5:13] And of the rulers durst no man join himself to them; but the people
magnified them.
[Acts
5:14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men
and women;)
[Acts
5:15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid
them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them.
[Acts
5:16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits;
and they were healed every one.
[Acts
8:14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John;
[Acts
8:15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive
the Holy Ghost.
[Acts
8:16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.)
[Acts
8:17] Then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.
Mor
2:1 The words of Christ, which he
spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands
upon them.
Mor
2:2 And he called them by name,
saying, Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye
have done this, ye shall have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye
shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine
apostles.
Mor
2:3 Now Christ spake these words
unto them at the time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it not,
but the disciples heard it, and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the
Holy Ghost.
2. The Cause of Zion and the Everlasting Covenant
Commentary
Zion IS a people who are filled with the gift and power of the Holy Ghost unto the demonstration of the Pure Love of Christ…even His charity for the POOR. It is a state of ‘being born of the spirit’ such that the love of Christ in us calls us to meet the Spiritual and Temporal needs of the Saints which is being obedient to the Law of Christ…even the Celestial Law.
Zion
was not redeemed in the early days of the Church because of the ‘evil’ among
the Saints…even their unwillingness to obey Jesus in the taking care of the
poor among them. The Judgment of
the Holy Ghost will be after the order of the judgment and example of Peter
judging Annanias and Saphira in the Book of Acts.
They disobeyed God’s Gospel by withholding their possessions from the
Church…even the poor and thus lost their inheritance.
Elder White’s vision found in the book “Infallible Proofs” is a revelation of how God will redeem Zion by Judgment, even the Judgment of the Holy Ghost. It should be noted that Peter was shown in this vision once again judging Annanias and Saphira as the example of God purging His Church of those who listen to Satan, even those who have not the pure love of Christ…His charity, for the poor among them.
Thus the “cause of Zion” is the
establishment of the Kingdom of God for the poor.
[Gen 7:23] And
the
Lord called his people, Zion, because
they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were
no poor among
them.
[Sec
77:1a] The Lord spake unto Enoch, saying, Hearken unto me saith the Lord
your God, who are ordained unto the high priesthood of my church, who
have assembled yourselves together,
[Sec
77:1b] and listen to the counsel of him who has ordained you, from on
high, who shall speak in your ears the words of wisdom, that salvation may be
unto you in that thing which you have presented before me, saith the Lord God;
[Sec
77:1c] for verily I say unto you, The time has come, and is now at hand; and,
behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my
people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the
poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion, or in other
words, the city of Enoch,
[Sec
77:1d] for a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my
church, to advance the cause which ye have espoused, to the salvation of
man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven, that you may be equal in
the bands of heavenly things;
[Sec
77:1e] yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things;
[Sec
77:1f] for if ye are not equal in earthly things, ye cannot be equal in
obtaining heavenly things;
[Sec
77:1g] for if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial
world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded
you and required of you.
[Gen 14:36] And this
Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of
heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.
[Gen 14:37] And he lifted
up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the
storehouse of God;
[Gen 14:38]
Him
whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.
[Gen 14:39] Wherefore,
Abram
paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed,
which God had given him more than that which he had need.
[Gen 14:40] And it came to
pass, that
God
blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an everlasting
possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and
according to the blessing wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him.
[Sec
6:3a] Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, Keep my commandments, and
seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion:
[Sec
70:3a] Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship,
even as I, the Lord, have appointed, or shall hereafter appoint unto any man.
[Sec
70:3b] And behold, none are exempt from this law who belong to the church of the
living God; yea, neither the bishop, neither the agent, who keepeth the Lord's
storehouse; neither he who is appointed in a stewardship over temporal things;
[Sec
70:3c] he who is appointed to administer spiritual things, the same is
worthy of his hire, even as those who are appointed to a stewardship, to
administer in temporal things; yea, even more abundantly, which abundance is
multiplied unto them through the manifestations of the Spirit;
[Sec
70:3d] nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not
grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be
withheld.
[Sec
38:4c] Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not for the kingdom is
yours: and for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard
your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I
made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.
[Sec 38:4d] And I have made the earth rich, and, behold, it is my footstool: wherefore, again I will stand upon it; and I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise;
[Sec
38:4e] a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no
curse when the Lord cometh; and I will give it unto you for the land of
your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts:
[Sec 38:4f] and this shall be my covenant with you, Ye
shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your
children for ever, while the earth shall stand; and ye shall possess it again in
eternity, no more to pass away.
[Sec
42:8b] And, behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate ALL
thy properties for their support, that which thou hast to impart unto them, with
a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken;
[Sec
42:8c] and inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it
unto me,
and
it shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors, two of the
elders, or high priests, such as he shall or has appointed and set apart for
that purpose.
[Sec
42:11a] And it shall come to pass that he that sinneth and repenteth not, shall
be cast out of the church, and shall not receive again that which he has
consecrated unto the poor and the needy of my church, or, in other words, unto
me;
[Sec
42:11b] for inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me; for
it shall come to pass that which I spake by the mouths of my prophets shall be
fulfilled;
[Sec
42:11c] for I will consecrate of the riches of those who embrace my
gospel, among the Gentiles, unto the poor of my people who are of the house of
Israel.
[Sec
44:3] Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy,
and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be
done according to my law, which ye have received. Amen.
[Sec
52:9c] And remember in all things, the poor and the needy, the sick and
the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.
[Sec
56:5a] Woe unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the
poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation
in the days of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation:
[Sec
56:5b] The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!
[Sec
58:3c] and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of
bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; and
also that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor;
[Sec
58:3d] yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that
the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail; yea, a supper
of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be
invited.
[Sec
58:3e] Firstly, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; and
after that cometh the day of my power;
[Sec
58:3f] then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in
unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared
for the great day to come. Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
[Sec
81:4a] Therefore, verily I say unto you, that it is expedient for my servant…
be bound together by a bond and covenant that cannot be broken by transgression
except judgment shall immediately follow, in your several stewardships,
[Sec
81:4b] to manage the affairs of the poor, and all things
pertaining to the bishopric both in the land of Zion, and in the land of
Shinehah, for I have consecrated the land of Shinehah in mine own due time for
the benefit of the Saints of the Most High, and for a stake to Zion;
[Sec
81:4d] therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind
yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the
Lord. Behold, here is wisdom, also, in me, for your good.
[Sec
81:4e] And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal
claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your
stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his
wants are just;
[Sec
81:4f] and all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that
every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents;
[Sec
81:4g] yea, even an hundredfold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to
become the common property of the whole church, every man seeking the interest
of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.
[Sec
81:5a] This order I have appointed to be an everlasting order unto you and
unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not;
[Sec
81:5b] and the soul that sins against this covenant, and hardeneth his
heart against it, shall be dealt with according to the laws of my church, and
shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.
[Sec
82:2b] And the storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the
church, that widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor.
Amen.
[Sec
83:23a] And the bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also, should
travel round about and among all the churches, searching after the poor, to
administer to their wants by humbling the rich and the proud;
[Sec
85:4a] Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for
you, is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the
body is the soul of man.
[Sec
85:4b] And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul; and the
redemption of the soul is through him who quickeneth all things, in whose bosom
it is decreed, that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.
[Sec
85:4c] Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness,
that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it hath
filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with
the presence of God the Father;
[Sec 85:4d] that bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it for ever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created; and for this intent are they sanctified.
[Sec
85:5a] And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given
unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even
that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
[Sec
85:5b] For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom, can
not abide a celestial glory; and he who can not abide the law of a terrestrial
kingdom, can not abide a terrestrial glory; he who can not abide the law of a
telestial kingdom, cannot abide a telestial glory: therefore, he is not meet for
a kingdom of glory.
[Sec
85:5c] Therefore, he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
[Sec
101:2e] and, behold, this is the way, that I, the Lord, have decreed to
provide for my saints;
[Sec
101:2f] that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low; for the
earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and
have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
[Sec
101:2g] Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and
impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor, and
the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in
torment.
[Sec
102:2a] Behold, I say unto you, Were it not for the transgressions of my
people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they
might have been redeemed even now;
[Sec
102:2b] but, behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which
I require at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do
not impart of their substance, as becometh Saints, to the poor and
afflicted among them, and are not united according to the union required by the
law of the celestial kingdom;
[Sec
102:2c] and Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of
the celestial kingdom, otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself;
[Sec
102:2d] and my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it
must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
[Mat
19:22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful;
for he had great possessions.
[Mat
19:23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily, I say unto you, that a
rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[Mat
19:24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
[Luke
14:16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper and bade
many;
[Luke
14:17] And sent his servants at supper time, to say to them who were bidden,
Come, for all things are now ready.
[Luke
14:18] And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse. The
first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go
and see it; I pray thee have me excused.
[Luke
14:19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to
prove them; I pray thee have me excused.
[Luke
14:20] And another said, I have married a wife, therefore I cannot come.
[Luke
14:21] So that servant came and showed his lord these things. Then the
master of the house, being angry, said to his servants, Go out
quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, and
the maimed, the halt and the blind.
[Luke
14:22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and
yet there is room.
[Luke 14:23] The Lord said unto his servant, Go out into the highways, and hedges, and compel men to come in, that my house may be filled;
[Luke
14:24] For I say unto you, That none of those men who were bidden, shall
taste of my supper
[James
2:3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there,
or sit here under my footstool;
[James
2:4] Are ye not then in yourselves partial judges, and become evil in your
thoughts?
[James
2:5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this
world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them
that love him?
[James
2:6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw
you before the judgment seats?
[James
2:7] Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
[James
2:8] If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well;
[James
2:9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced
of the law as transgressors.
[James
2:10] For whosoever shall, save in one point, keep the whole law, he is
guilty of all.
But
wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world.
[Acts
2:36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath
made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[Acts
2:37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[Acts
2:38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
[Acts
2:41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
[Acts
2:42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
[Acts
2:43] And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by
the apostles.
[Acts
2:44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
[Acts
2:45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as
every man had need.
[Alma
16:224] I say unto you, If ye do not any of these things, behold, your
prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny
the faith;
[Alma
16:225] Therefore if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross,
which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth,) and is trodden under
foot of men.
[Mormon
4:48] And there are none, save a few only, who do not lift themselves up
in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto
envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquity;
[Mormon
4:49] And your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because
of the pride of your hearts.
[Mormon
4:50] For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine
apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the
needy, the sick and the afflicted.
[Mormon
4:51] O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for
that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God?
[Mormon
4:52] Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?
[Mormon
4:53] Why do you not think that greater is the value of an endless
happiness, than that misery which never dies, because of the praise of the
world?
[Mormon
4:54] Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet
suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick, and the afflicted
to pass by you, and notice them not?
Therefore
thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried
stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not
make haste.
Judgment
also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail
shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water shall overflow the hiding
place.
And
your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell
shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall
be trodden down by it.
From
the time that it goeth forth it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it
pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand
the report…
For
the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that
he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange
act.
The
sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell
with everlasting burnings?
He
that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of
oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isaiah
28:15, 18, 19; 33:14-17.
What
I have said unto you, must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse;
that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never
considered;
that
I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work,
my strange work. That men may discern between the righteous and the wicked,
saith your God. D & C 98:
12d,e
For,
behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and
all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them
up, saith
the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.Malachi 4:1;
Joel 2:28-32.
3. Zion shall
be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
And the destruction of the transgressors and of the
sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
Isaiah
1:27,28
What I have said unto you, must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse; that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never considered;
that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange
act, and perform my work, my strange work. That men may discern between the
righteous and the wicked, saith your God. [Sec 98:12d,e
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death,
and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass
through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under
falsehood have we hid ourselves;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and
righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
and the water shall overflow the hiding place.And your covenant with death shall
be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the
overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he
shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his
strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the
hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among
us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth
the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that
stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isaiah 28:15, 18, 19; 33:14-17.
[Sec 1:1b]
for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape,
and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither
heart that shall not be penetrated;
[Sec 1:1c] and the rebellious shall be pierced with much
sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their
secret acts shall be revealed;
[Sec 1:1d] and the voice of warning shall be unto all
people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days,
and they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded
them.
The Endowment is the filling of ones soul (body and spirit) with both the
Power and the Love of God through the Holy Ghost.
They go hand and hand. They
are not separate spiritual conditions.
The
gift and power of the Holy Ghost allows us to walk and talk with God and to hear
his voice. Thus, we then are able to do the “works of Jesus” based
upon the ‘assurance’ of “hearing the voice of Jesus”, thus our faith is
‘knowledge’ of this fact that Jesus is speaking to and commanding us to do a
‘work of the kingdom’, so that when a servant speaks the word in the name of
Jesus, the work of Jesus follows. No
longer is faith just ‘guessing or speculation’ but knowledge based upon the
fact one is truly hearing the voice of Almighty God such that we then have the
‘assurance’ of that which is hoped for and evidence of things not seen
becoming a reality in the realms of time. This
then is how the powers of heaven are released in the realms of time and thus,
how Zion will be established.
This is what Jesus desires to teach us, show us, and have us practice
once He is in our midst. This then
will be the beginning of Zion for those that love and obey Him unto the blessing
of all His children. He states that
He rewards those that diligently seek Him.
“This
is Eternal Life (Zion), to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent”.
He is waiting for us to ask for His personal ministry and the Endowment
of the Holy Ghost.
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts
with righteousness.
And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. Isaiah 1:26-28
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:2,3
Wherefore, he will
preserve the righteous by his power, even if it be so that the fullness of his
wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of
their enemies by fire. Wherefore,
the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet,
They shall be
saved, even if it so be as by fire. I Nephi
7:36,37
[Sec 34:5b] and the Scriptures shall be given even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect; for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming, for they shall be purified even as I am pure.
[Sec 38:2b] I am
in your midst and ye can not see me, but the day soon cometh that ye shall see
me and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent,
and he that is not purified shall not abide the day: wherefore, gird up your
loins and be prepared.
[Sec 67:3a] And again, verily I say unto you, that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent, and you shall see me and know that I am;
[Sec 85:18b] Therefore,
sanctify
yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you
shall see him: for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to
his own will.
[Sec 90:1a]
Verily,
thus saith the Lord, It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his
sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and
keepeth my commandments, shall see my face, and know that I am,
and that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
The following is from the vision given to Elder White as found in the book “Infallible Proofs”. Almighty God is very clear as to how Zion shall be redeemed and who will receive the endowment and who will be judged.
…these things
were a very great trial to my faith because of the seeming impossibility for the
land of Zion to be redeemed in the short time indicated through the gifts,
WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE POWER OF GOD!
These thoughts caused me to exclaim, “Oh Lord, why suffer thy people to
be tried so severely in this matter? Why
not reveal unto thy peop0le that which will relieve them of this great trial and
let them know how the redemption of Zion shall be, “ when I heard a voice (
which I understood to be the voice of God) saying, “The time was when my
people might have redeemed Zion if they had kept my counsel, but now it has
passed out of their power. I will
redeem Zion in its time and I will do it in this way.”
Then I saw a narrow and very bright red ring, which enclosed
Independence and a portion of the surrounding country, the center of which
seemed to be a little southwest of where I was standing, on a high spot of
ground.
Then He said, “Do you see that ring?”
I said, “Yes”.
Then He said, “I have sanctified all of the ground inside of this
ring, and I will not suffer any person to live inside of this ring except
those who keep the CELESTIAL LAW. Now
mine elders shall receive an ENDOWMENT that Peter had when he judged Ananias and
Sapphira.” I was given to understand that only such elders received
this endowment as were chosen by the Holy Ghost.
“Now all written law ceases on the inside of this ring, but on the
outside it shall continue as it is.
“Now my judgment commences inside of this ring which is the judgment of
the Holy Ghost, that NO SIN MAY ESCAPE. By
the written and the judgments of men, many guilty ones go unpunished and many of
the innocent suffer. You read in my
word that Zion shall be redeemed by judgment.
Many of my elders misrepresent me in regard to my judgment.
They say it is storms, pestilence, earthquakes, etc., but this is NOT
what I mean. I mean THE JUDGMENT OF
THE HOLY GHOST, and as you see Peter yonder judging Ananias and Sapphira by the
Holy Ghost, so shall the judgment be here.
DEATH IS LAID AT THE FEET OF EVERY PERSON.
Then the vision opened up to a very great distance, where I saw Peter
judging Ananias and Sapphira by the Holy Ghost.
Then looking back to near the center of the ring, I saw the judgment
going on, yet at sufficient distance to prevent me from knowing anyone engaged
in it.
There were about ten or
twelve men standing with their backs toward me, and about four or five feet to
their right stood a man judging some person who was in front of them, yet hid
from my sight by the other men.
Immediately there was a very great excitement around where the judgment
was going on, which soon extended to all parts within the circle, all seeming
to know that every one must immediately get our of he the ring or come up and be
judged by the Holy Ghost, which proved fatal to all whose consciences did not
hold them guiltless. And I saw
many hastening to get out of the ring. Some
ran, some walked and others when in wagons, one of whom I noticed more
particularly. After he had driven
over the ring, he turned toward me so that I could see the tears running down
his cheeks, and I was enabled to hear what he was saying to himself.
He said, “Now I have lost this great blessing because I have not
lived up to this privilege.” I
was also given to understand that he could soon prepare himself by repentance
and faithfulness to return and be able to abide the judgment, which he
immediately sought to do.
I also noticed another one, on foot, who did not care for or know what he
had lost, but seemed to be glad he had escaped the judgment, and showed no signs
of repentance.
I understood that
both of these were Saints.
I looked back to where the judgment had been
going on but it had all vanished. Then
I asked to know what degree of perfection would have to be attained to enable
one to abide the judgment and to have it manifested by pointing out someone I
knew. This He refused to do,
but would tell me what kind of character could abide the judgment and what
kind of character would have to go out.
He said all whose words had been just and true, all those in whose
hearts there is no guile or deceit, can abide the judgment.
He also told me that the following characters could not abide the
judgment: All those that forgive with their lips but not with their
hearts; all those who have not spoken the true sentiments of their own hearts.
Then He said, “It is wisdom in me to
sanctify but a small portion at a time, for you saw that many went out, and if I
had sanctified a large portion there would so many have gone out that it would
have left a great part of the land desolate and waste; but by sanctifying a
small portion at a time there would so may have gone out that it would have left
a great part of the land desolate and waste; but by sanctifying a small portion
at a time there will enough remain on the inside with those who are on the
outside who are prepared, and who will be invited to come in immediately to
build up and occupy the places that are going to waste; and when all of the land
on the inside is filled up, I will move out the line and sanctify another
portion as you read in word,
‘The borders of Zion shall be enlarged’.
“This is what I mean. It
is wisdom in me to prepare my Saints in this way for my coming.
If I did not prepare them, they could not abide my presence. If I should come unto them in their present condition, my
glory would destroy them.”
I was given to understand that the time had now come that the gospel should go forth by those who received this endowment and that they had power given them to smite the earth with all the plagues as often as they would, such as lightning, plagues, earthquakes, etc.
Then
Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house. And his disciples came
unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
He
answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man.
The
field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares
are the children of the wicked.
The
enemy that sowed them is the devil.
The
harvest is the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked.
The
reapers are the angels, or the messengers sent of heaven.
As,
therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the
end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked.
For
in that day, before the Son of Man shall come, he shall send forth his angels
and messengers of heaven.
And
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity, and shall cast them out among the wicked; and there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth.
For
the world shall be burned with fire.
Then
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Who
hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt. 13:35-45
Because
ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at
agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not
come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid
ourselves;
Therefore
thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried
stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not
make haste.
Judgment
also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail
shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the water shall overflow the hiding
place.
And
your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell
shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall
be trodden down by it.
From
the time that it goeth forth it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it
pass over, by day and by night; and it shall be a vexation only to understand
the report…
For
the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that
he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange
act.
The
sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell
with everlasting burnings?
He
that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of
oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isaiah
28:15, 18, 19; 33:14-17.
What
I have said unto you, must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse;
that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never
considered;
that
I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work,
my strange work. That men may discern between the righteous and the wicked,
saith your God. D & C 98:
12d,e
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1; Joel 2:28-32.
Added Scriptures For Understanding the "Godhead" and "Infinite Atonement"