Day: February 20, 2010

Eternal Lives, Chapter 6

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 6 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Immortal Bodies

“A man may act as proxy for his own relatives; the ordinances of the Gospel which were laid out before the foundations of the world have thus been fulfilled by them, and we may be baptized for those whom we have much friendship for; but IT MUST FIRST BE REVEALED TO THE MAN OF GOD, LEST WE SHOULD RUN TOO FAR.” History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.17, p.366

As we put the pieces of Mormon Doctrine together the picture becomes clear: Adam was once a faithful mortal on another planet. He was faithful and was resurrected and went to the celestial kingdom. Then, after ages of additional progression, with the help of “morning stars” he organized this earth and came down here with his celestial body and eventually made it physical and mortal again to create a physical seed for himself. That’s two lives for Adam right there. How can one deny it? One may say that Brigham Young did not know what he was talking about, but if one claims superior revelation to Brigham where are his works and words to show evidence of this intelligence? Art thou greater than Brigham or Joseph who taught Brigham?

Interestingly, a celestial spirit can also slow his vibrations to create a physical body. Church authorities generally believe that Jesus Christ was once Jehovah and that he lived as a spirit only before his birth, but on the contrary we find the Jehovah and two associates appeared to Abraham in PHYSICAL BODIES: “And the Lord (Lord is from the Hebrew YAHOVAH which means Jehovah) appeared to him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamres and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, THREE MEN stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said My Lord (This Lord is from the Hebrew ADONAY meaning master), if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and WASH YOUR FEET, and REST yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a MORSEL OF BREAD, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, SO DO, AS THOU HAST SAID. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly THREE measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hastened to dress it… And he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, AND THEY DID EAT… And the MEN rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord (Again YeHOVAH translated Jehovah) said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?… And the men (two of them) turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord”(YeHOVAH) Gen 18:1-8; 16-17, & 22. Then after the two men went to Sodom Abraham made his famous bargain with Jehovah to save the two cities, then we are told: “And the Lord (YeHOVAH) went his way…” Verse 33

In the next chapter we are told: “And there came two angels to Sodom at even..,”’ Gen. 19:1 Lot met them and offered them his house to sleep in and suggested they wash their feet and he made a feast also “and they did eat”. Verse 3. “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round about, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: and they called unto Lot and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know (have sex with) them.” verses 4-5 Later, as they were about to burst the door down to get the two men and Lot was trying to hold them back “the men (the two angels) put forth their hand, AND PULLED LOT INTO THE HOUSE to them, and shut the door,” verse 10.

Who can doubt that all three of three heavenly beings had physical bodies! They rested, they ate, they washed their feet, they slept, their bodies were seen by both the righteous and the wicked with no apparent glory. Lastly, their bodies were able to make physical contact with mortal men. The two angels “pulled Lot into the house.”

How were these non mortal men able to produce their physical bodies when there was no resurrection yet? Perhaps they were translated you say? That would really throw our doctrine for a loop if Jehovah was merely translated. Most would rule that out. Joseph Smith told us how to recognized resurrected angels from heaven. He said: “offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an ANGEL he will do so, and you will feel his hand. D & C 129:4-5. This is how we tell the messenger is not a spirit, but an resurrected Angel according to Joseph. (Read the whole section). How is it that Jehovah fits Joseph Smith’s description of a resurrected angel?

From this we can at least gather that Jehovah was able to produce a physical body before any recorded birth on the earth. This is also indicated in the Book of Mormon. When Jesus appeared to the brother of Jared he said: “Behold, this body which ye now behold is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and EVEN AS I APPEAR UNTO THEE TO BE IN THE SPIRIT WILL I APPEAR TO MY PEOPLE IN THE FLESH.” Ether 3:l6. Even though Jesus had a celestial body, the faith of the Brother of Jared was so great that the vibrations of that celestial body were lowered so it actually became physical. The Brother of Jared actually saw Christ in a physical body for he saw him even as he would appear in the flesh. That the body was physical to the Brother of Jared is also indicated by his statement: “I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.” Ether 3:8

Jacob also wrestled with and angel who he later called “God” indicating it was Jehovah. Interestingly, Jacob actually got the best of him. Whoever this personage was, Jacob certainly touched him to prove that he had a physical body and even got his thigh out of joint. See Gen. 32:24-30. According to D&C 129 this person would have been resurrected. For resurrected persons capable of physical manifestation are often called angels as contrasted to beings of spirit only. This is especially indicated in: “IF HE BE AN ANGEL he will do so, and you shall feel his hand. If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear.” These persons spoken of above did not appear in glory so they must have been “Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones.” D&C 129:1

These facts bring up questions that just cannot be answered by orthodox doctrine. What was Jehovah doing producing a physical body when we are told a spirit from God can only appear in Glory? Did Christ have some resurrection or translation before he was born to Mary? If not, how did he or some other being appear to Abraham in a physical body??? Again the doctrine of reincarnation supplies the answers. If Adam experienced mortality on another world previous to his coming here then surely Christ, being up there with Adam, also had much experience, and had also experienced mortality on other worlds to prepare him to be the master of this one. Someday, you and I will do what Adam and Jesus did when we experience our “eternal lives in the eternal worlds.” Is it not glorious to contemplate eternal life you can understand?

Another LDS stumbling block to accepting the doctrine of reincarnation is the doctrine of salvation for the dead and eternal marriage, The question arises as to why should one be baptized for the dead if he is going to come back into mortality in the future and continue to work out his salvation?

First let us point out that some scriptures used to support baptism for the dead are misunderstood. When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith he quoted Malachi 4:5-6 a little differently than it reads in the Bible: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children THE PROMISES MADE TO THE FATHERS, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” D&C 2:1-3

Has anyone stopped to ask, after reading this scriptures, what are the promises made to the Fathers? If I did not stop now and then to ponder and question what I read I would not be writing this and would yet be “at ease in Zion”. But to continue, there are, of course, a number of important promises made to our fathers, but there is one promise which is written about more than any other, and that is the gathering of Israel (the gathering of Lights).

Many today are not aware of the significance of the gathering and think that members are accomplishing it when they merely convert people to the church so they can gather each Sunday. But that’s not gathering any more than the sectarians. If Joseph Smith were to speak to you today, he would say the LDS have become sectarians. Joseph Smith began the gathering of Israel and Brigham Young and others tried to continue it so the saints could “come out of Babylon.” If the early leaders were here today they would call to mind the parable of the wheat and the tares and behold the good seed is being strangled by the tares and declare : “An enemy hath done this.” Matt 13:28.

The original gathering as outlined by the earlier prophets failed and now it has to be done all over again. We must gather upon “a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh.” D&C 38:18 Is Utah such a land? Verily, no. There are as many curses in Utah as any typical U.S. state. Utah residents are in “the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon” D&C 133:14

Many times in the scriptures the saints are commanded to come out of spiritual Babylon. “O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart. but if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.” III Nephi 10:6-7.

The LDS think they will be safe if they have their year’s supply of food and yet remain in spiritual Babylon – they are at ease in Zion. But if a calamity should occur none will be spared peril who remain in Babylon, years supply or not. When a hundred hungry men with clubs and sticks come at your door for food where will be your salvation then? The gathering is “for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” D&C 115:6 The gathering failed as it had in other dispensations, the storm was delayed, but now it must be done all over again. This time we will succeed. The Lord knew that the gathering started by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young would not be permanent; nevertheless, much good has been accomplished, and the way has been prepared for a future gathering in the fullness of the glory of the Father.

The church today teaches that baptism for the dead must be done for all people clear back to Adam, but such a teaching is contrary to the scriptures and a very clear teaching by Joseph Smith who stated:

“A man may act as proxy for his own relatives; the ordinances of the Gospel which were laid out before the foundations of the world have thus been fulfilled by them, and we may be baptized for those whom we have much friendship for; but IT MUST FIRST BE REVEALED TO THE MAN OF GOD, LEST WE SHOULD RUN TOO FAR.” History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.17, p.366

Now this is not a quote from Joseph that you will hear soon in General Conference.

He said the following which is at odds with current Mormon Doctrine:

(1) Baptism for the dead is for those with whom we have “much friendship for.”

(2) We “must” have revelation as to whom we must be baptized.

(3) If we do not follow these guidelines we will go “too far.”

The too far is most probably the “endless genealogies” (I Tim 1:4) that Paul told us to avoid.

Unfortunately the LDS church has drifted far from these guidelines and have strayed into endless genealogies which have nothing to do with friendship or revelation.

Concerning the dead, Joseph Smith said: “Without us, the dead could not be made perfect, nor we without them.” History of the Church Vol. 6; Pg 252. Why do we need the dead for our salvation? Joseph answered: “We must have revelation from them.” (See same page) What kind of revelation will the dead give us? They will not only give us assistance on genealogy when needed, but they will aid us in the gathering, for they are very concerned that it is successful so Zion can be established and they can come forth in their next incarnation (the first resurrection) at the beginning of the millennium of peace. The dead want a peaceful world available when they have to come back here.

Another interesting point is that baptism in the temples is not only for the dead, but in the early church members were to also baptize those who were sick to effect a healing

There is really no conflict between the doctrine of reincarnation and baptism for the dead. Each life a person lives he accumulates guilt for certain sins that must either be atoned for or he must suffer for them in a future life. It was never intended that we should baptize the dead clear back to Adam, but the ordinance was mainly for friends and relatives who accepted the basic principles of the gospel and were honorable people. Joseph Smith said: “Every man who has a friend in the eternal world can save him, unless he has committed the unpardonable sin.” History of the Church Vol. 6 pg. 313. Thus the ordinance was instituted so we could help lift the burden of guilt from those who we love. Contrary to popular belief all do not need the physical act of baptism. All do need, however, that spiritual baptism of having their sins (guilt) washed away. Mormon helps us out here: “For behold all little children are alive in Christ, and also ALL THEY THAT ARE WITHOUT THE LAW (the non Christian nations: see D&C 45:54) For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such BAPTISM AVAILETH NOTHING.” Moroni 8:22.

Baptism will only help those who are subject to the laws of the gospel. Why baptize then for the dead who are not under the law when it “availeth nothing???” If we had enough faith we would have revealed to us the dead who are to be baptized, and such a baptism would be a great help to him in washing away guilt caused by the law, and thus releasing a burden he may have on the other side of the veil. He could then be born to the holy parents who shall bring again Zion, for such parents will truly “seek a Godly seed”. Malachi 2:15.

If a Godly seed is not produced and a gathering is not effected – that is that we “should gather together, and stand in holy places” D&C 101:22, then there will not be a people prepared to meet the Lord when he comes and the “whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” D&C 2:3

Joseph Smith pointed out that the people at the time of John the Baptist and Jesus were rejected with their dead and if we are not faithful we will be rejected with our dead. This indicates that our generation is not responsible for saving the dead of a past age. This is clearly pointed out in the scriptures: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies…” Titus 3-9 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies…” I Tim 1:4 “We are just responsible for “OUR” dead; not for endless genealogies. Let me repeat: baptism for the dead is to help “our dead”.

Once you go back more than 200 years the person has often taken another body here in the physical plane. Sometimes, however, a person may be caught in a world of illusion for many centuries, but generally a few generations is about all that can do any good. Do you think that God is going to keep one person in prison for five thousand years and another equally righteous for only a few years and have the former’s long fate sealed merely because he had the misfortune of being born earlier than your Grandmother? Why should your grandmother only have to wait two years for salvation and someone else thousands?

Then, too, baptism for the dead is only effective for those that repent and “if they would not repent they must suffer EVEN AS I.” D&C 19:17 How can the dead “suffer both BODY and spirit” D&C 19:18 with no body??? Joseph Smith said that baptism for the dead is for those who would have received the gospel if it had been presented to them, and that even they would be judged according to the deeds done in the body.

This helps us to understand the words of Alma: “Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity (the kingdoms of the spirit), behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the hour of darkness wherein there can be NO LABOR PERFORMED…for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal (spirit) world.” Alma 34:33-34

When Alma said that ‘“there can be no labor performed,” he was not teaching contrary to the doctrine of salvation for the dead as the anti-Mormons teach, but he was pointing out as did Joseph that we are judged by the deeds in the body and not out. There can be very little if any repentance in the spirit world for we are possessed by the same spirit as was in the earthly body. Bodily sins can only be paid for in the body. Between lives “there can be no labor performed” and the spirit must wait for another incarnation after the finish of his “rest” and then he can labor again: “And his works shall follow him, and also a reward in the world to come.” (the next incarnation) D&C 63:48.
Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 7

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 7 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Eternal Marriage

One may ask: Why be sealed for eternity if there is reincarnation and we will come back again anyway? What one often forgets is that we are living in eternity now as Joseph Smith indicated: “The past, the present, and the future were and are with Him (God) one eternal Now”’. History of the Church Vol. 4 Pg. 597.

Let’s examine carefully what is written on the sealing powers to see what is unfolded. We are told that those who are sealed according to the New and Everlasting covenant “shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection the next resurrection (A future life or incarnation) and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, all heights and depths – “ D&C 132:19 Then we are told that as long as they do not shed innocent blood they will come forth and be Gods sometime in the future. We are told that “All things are theirs whether LIFE OR DEATH.” D&C 76:59 It is interesting indeed that a celestial being can choose life or death. In other words he can choose a continuation of life in the celestial world or sacrifice and take an incarnation in the lower worlds where he will be subject to death. Many of the prophets in history as well as other great men were celestial spirits who volunteered to come here to help the race of men. They chose “death” for a season that they might have more power to serve.

To understand the sealing more fully one must understand what the scriptures mean when they speak of everlasting or eternal life. One should understand that when God gave us the modern scriptures they were written “after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.” D&C 1:24 Since Joseph Smith was unaware of all mistranslations in the Bible they also carried over into some of his revelations. For instance the word for the Lord “Jehovah” is universally agreed to be a mistranslation. The English word was invented by the Catholic church many centuries ago. Most believe the word was at one time pronounced “Yahweh”. Even the word “Jesus” is not correct today. In the Greek it was pronounced “Yaesu”. But God did not bother with trivialities and let the revelations come forth in a language that Joseph and his followers were familiar with. If he did not do this much difficulty would have been created, and the missionaries would have spent all their time arguing over the meaning of words instead of teaching revealed truths. There were certain disadvantages, however, especially caused by the words “eternal” and “everlasting”. For the true meaning of these words we must examine the original language of the Bible from whence they came.

Contrary to popular belief, neither everlasting or eternal life means to live forever just as eternal damnation doesn’t mean that one will be damned forever: “Nevertheless, it is not written there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again it is written eternal damnation.” D&C 19:6-7 And why did the Lord allow it to be written this way: “Wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, THAT IT MIGHT WORK UPON THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN altogether for my name’s glory.” Verse 7.

Yes, in the past, and for many in the present the Lord has allowed a misunderstanding of his words to work upon our hearts for our good, but the truly honest in heart are always the most highly motivated by that which is truest.

Much of the confusion comes from the Greek word AION and a comparable word AIONIOS. These words are translated as “eternal,” “forever,” “everlasting,” “world,” “age” and “course” in the King James Version. One does not have to look hard to see that “age” and “course” certainly have a different meaning than “eternal” or “forever”. What is the true meaning of these Greek words? It can be clearly shown from the scriptures that the meaning is not “forever:” The disciples said “Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the END of the world”(Greek: AION) Matt 24:3 “I am with you alway, even to the END of the world” AION) Matt 28:20. Here the translators did not dare translate AION as everlasting, eternal, or forever. We know that Jesus is not coming at the end of forever. It can also be shown that AION has a beginning: “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since THE WORLD (AION) BEGAN” Luke 1:70; “Since the World (AION) began…” John 9:32; Also Acts 3:21. Here we easily establish that AION has both a beginning and an end, It’s most correct translation is an “age” which age has both a beginning and an end. Sometimes it is used in the same context that we use the word “dispensation” today. However, it sometimes refers to numerous dispensations. One has to read the context.

The Greek AIONIOS is derived from AION and means approximately the same except the word implies a quality not found in AION. The word “eternal” in eternal life is generally translated from this word. For instance this is eternal (AIONIOS) life, that they might know thee…” John 17:3 This implies that one will have a high quality of life that will last for an “age” if one comes to know God and Christ. We find the same implication in other scriptures: “Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting (AIONIOS) life.” John 3:16 AION and AIONIOS were not meant to imply deathlessness or immortality. The word meaning such is ATHANASIA and is only used three times in the whole Bible. The three references are: I Cor 15:53 & 54; and I Tim 6:16.

Joseph Smith’s teachings were in harmony with the above. He said over and over that if a thing has a beginning it must have an end and if something did not have a beginning then it will have no end. There is no such thing as a beginning with no end. See History of the Church Vol. 6; pg 311

This was one of the most important statements Joseph ever made, as much truth can be derived from it. For instance, if there is a beginning to a punishment, then there must be an end. On the other hand, if there is a beginning to a reward there must also be an end. If there is a beginning to our entering into the telestial, terrestrial, or celestial kingdom, then eventually there must be an end. If there is a beginning to us being a God there will be an end. If there is a beginning to a marriage there will also be an end.

When we apply this principle to various cherished doctrines, it may fill the breast of a devotee with horror. For instance if there is a beginning to having a body there will be an end. Yet Joseph Smith clearly stated that “which has a beginning as God lives will have an end.” Some of these applications almost makes one declare that Joseph Smith must have been mistaken in this point. But I believe the doctrine not only because Joseph said it, but because of its simple logic. He is mathematically correct.

If Joseph Smith was right then what is the real meaning of eternal marriage? Does it have an end?

First, if we use the Greek word AIONIOS for eternal or eternity, then eternal marriage would imply a high quality marriage lasting for an age. Thus one may be married in this world and the world to come, but keep in mind that there’s worlds to come after ‘“the world to come.” How long your eternal marriage will last is according to your free agency. If after ten million years you decide to go separate ways who is there to take away your agency??? If, after you become a God, you decide to step down and no longer be a God for a while who is there to take away your agency? Remember “All things are theirs whether life or death.” D&C 76:59

To find out if there really is an end to marriage we must merely ask if there ever was a beginning. We may be assured that the principle of marriage is without beginning and is ever present in nature clear down to the atom where we have a marriage of positive and negative forces creating something greater than themselves through their cooperation. Joseph Smith said that baptism was a symbol and it’s quite evident that marriage is also. Marriage merely symbolizes a union of souls or should I say a reunion for “Man was also in the beginning with God…” D&C 93:29 “The mind or the intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself. I know my testimony is true.” History of the Church Vol. 6: Pg 310. When humanity were co-equal in the beginning there was a union of souls which was from eternity which union, or eternal marriage, we are again attempting to establish through the “New and everlasting covenant”. This is in fulfillment of the commandment: ‘“that they may be one as we are.” John 17-11. Thus since the oneness of Intelligences never had a beginning the time will never come when they will have an end; nevertheless there is always an ebb and flow in all things. At this point one feels to exclaim: “The mystery of Godliness, how great it is!” D&C 19:10 Eternal marriage is symbolic of the eternal union all Intelligences will eventually have,

The new and everlasting covenant is also a binding force that brings individuals together in the celestial kingdom as well as guarantees that you will meet in future lives. Now we not only want to meet our mates in future lives, but also our friends. This is why sealings were also done for individuals who were faithful and friends. Men were sealed to men as well as women. See Journal of discourses Vol. 9 page 269. Also Manuscript History of Brigham Young Jan. 16, 1847

This practice of sealing men to men and even groups was discontinued evidently through lack of understanding. Joseph Smith told a group of saints: “He (God) has given you all to me and commanded me to seal you up to everlasting life.” Autobiography of Mary E. Rollins Lightner Ms. Joseph also said: that “dominion and power in the great future would be commensurate with the number of wives, children and friends that we inherit (are sealed to) here, and that our mission to the earth was to organize a nucleus of Heaven, to take with us, the increase of which there would be no end.” From MY LIFE’S REVIEW by Benjamin F. Johnson. Zion’s Printing and publishing Co.; Independence, Mo. Page 10.

It is evident that Joseph was married in his past lives. Mary Elizabeth Rollins said: “Joseph said I was his before I came here and he said all the Devils in hell should never get me from him.” From JOSEPH SMITH, THE FIRST MORMON by Donna Hill. Page 351. Joseph Lee Robinson also gave an insight into Joseph’s past lives: “God revealed to him that any man that ever committed adultery in either of his probations (lives) that man could never be raised to the highest exaltation in the celestial glory.” Donna Hill Page 344. Since we are “judged according to the deeds which have been done in the MORTAL BODY.” (Alma 5:15) this other probation could not refer to a previous spirit life, but only a previous mortal life.

Of course, any sealing ceremony has no effect without love for we are told that “Charity (the pure love of Christ) never faileth.” I Cor 13:8. Love is the true sealing power whereas the ordinance is merely a symbol. If one is under the law he must go through the ordinance, but if he is not then the power of love itself will create a binding force so those two individuals will meet in future lives. Interestingly hate also seals two individuals to each other so they will meet again and work out their differences. The power of love was expressed by Paul: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of god which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38-39

The main advantage of the sealing powers of the Priesthood is that it seals a commitment to meet again and once registered in two souls the future union is assured. The future of those eternally progressing will be eventually to be as Gods to evolving human lives on other worlds. This, of course, is just the beginning. There are worlds and concepts above ours that we can comprehend no more than a slug can comprehend us, but someday, in our future eternal lives and endless expansion of our consciousness, we will comprehend.
Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 8

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 8 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

AS YE SOW…

An important word used in the religions of the East and not generally found in Christendom is “karma”. The word serves a very real purpose for all people and about the closest a Christian comes to sensing karma is when he says something like: “I feel that God has sent me here for a special purpose. I feel like I am to be a scientist or a musician.” That special purpose, which is sometimes good and sometimes evil, is Karma, and it is the result of what we have sowed in past lives.

How else can the scripture be fulfilled? “Every man shall bear his own burden…Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:5&7 Alma said something similar- “For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, AND BE RESTORED.” Alma 41:15 Also: “And ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.” Hel. 14:31 “See that you do not judge wrongfully for with that same judgment which ye judge, ye shall also be judged.” Moroni 7:18 Karma is the result of cause and effect. Just as we have Newton’s law of gravity which says that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction we have the law of karma which says that for every good deed we sow we receive an equal good (perhaps compounded by interest) back somewhere down the line. If we sow a bad deed we also receive that back. Karma is nothing new and is found in the scriptures as demonstrated above, the only problem is that the scriptures did not contain a word such as “karma” to define the law.

We find clearly expressed in the scriptures that the law of karma is real, that we will have good and evil returned to us, yet how often have we seen the wicked die without having his evil returned? How often have we seen a righteous man die with great suffering and we exclaim: “What did he do to deserve this?” Surely a lifetime of good works would have brought him more than a horrible death?

Ah, yes, says the authority, but God will fix things in the next world. He’ll see to it that all get their just reward. But will they? Can they??? How can an evil person reap what he has sowed in the physical world in the spirit world??? That would be like buying a house of stone and receiving one of wood. The wood house may be worth just as much as the stone one, but it is not what was ordered.

If someone kicked his brother in the seat of the pants he could receive a punishment in the spirit which may be equally as bad, but the only way such a deed could be equally restored is to have it happen in the flesh. Suppose a man commits the perfect murder and dies undiscovered. How is he going to be repaid in the spirit? Will devils burning him in oil do it? No. He would complain that is too harsh. Would suffering for all eternity do it? Again too harsh. Would feeling sorry do it? No the victim would say: “not enough”. What would be a suitable punishment? Amazingly, the scriptures clearly give us the answer: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” Gen. 9:5-6.

What could be more just for a murderer than to be murdered himself at some future date? If he were cut off in his prime just as his victim was he would begin to understand just how wrong it is to kill. Alma clearly spoke that we must “acknowledge to our everlasting shame that ALL his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works.” Alma 12:15 If the punishment were meted out exactly as he gave it then who could complain about it? If the murderer’s only punishment was to be in the spirit world, or to be damned for eternity in the resurrection, then I for one would complain that the judgment is not just and the scripture would be broken.

The above scripture in Genesis is used to support the doctrine of blood atonement, but such doctrine is greatly misunderstood. Joseph Smith taught some of the brethren some of the deeper doctrines in private councils and one of them was blood atonement. He was constrained by the spirit from mentioning reincarnation (to all but a few), however, this doctrine is essential to understand fully blood atonement. After Joseph’s death Brigham Young and others taught the doctrine with a great missing piece to the puzzle. Consequently, there were numerous errors in their teaching.

For example it was believed that the only way to atone for murder was to actually have one’s blood spilled. It is from this belief that stems the law in Utah that a person to be executed is given a choice of hanging or being shot so he can spill his blood What sense or justice is this? Only murderers in Utah have the chance for atonement while the other states do not have such a choice and the convict must go to the gas chamber or be electrocuted? Are murderers in Utah more righteous than other states??? Would God allow the sin of one murderer to be forgiven because he was LUCKY enough to have an opportunity to spill his blood; whereas another one gets no such opportunity and gets the gas chamber? Is god’s justice dependent on luck? I hope not.

The true doctrine of blood atonement is exactly as mentioned in the scripture: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” If a man sheds another’s blood then sooner or later, in this life or the next, his blood will be shed by another man,

“Wait!” says the unbeliever. “The Lord is speaking about what He wants to be done. If man does not fulfill the commandment and put to death the murderer, then there is no way he will have his blood shed.”

This is a fine objection if one doesn’t believe the word of God the way it reads. It reads not as a commandment, but merely a statement of fact. Moreover, the real meaning is verified by other scriptures: “He that leadeth into captivity SHALL GO INTO CAPTIVITY; he that killeth with the sword MUST BE KILLED WITH THE SWORD. Here is the patience and faith of the saints.” Rev 13:10 This is not from the period of the law of Moses as some suppose, but the person speaking here was none other than John the Revelator. He is not speaking of punishments which our civil laws are supposed to deal out, but he is making a concrete statement of fact.

He who commits sin against his fellow men will reap in the same manner that he sowed. If he killed by the sword then he must be killed in the like manner. Yet how many people have killed with the sword and not been killed in the same manner during one lifetime? How many bankers, politicians, and dictators have lead into captivity and died escaping their just punishment? I’ll name just one: Hitler. Hitler killed with the sword and led into captivity, but he escaped punishment anywhere near equal to what he gave out. Because he was responsible for the death of millions he must come back and atone. He does not have to die millions of times for the atonement, as that would be close to impossible. Instead he must develop himself until he is man enough to come up with a program wise enough to be able to save as many people as he previously destroyed. He will probably have to give his life several times in the process. It would be unfair to require a million lifetimes to pay for one lifetime of mistakes, Our karma is like a great balance with the weight of past good deeds on one side and evil on the other. When Hitler was here he created for himself a great overbalance of evil. If he merely leads the life of an average man it will take him hundreds of lives to pay the debt, but if he leads some great heroic life and, say saves the world from something like an atomic war, then perhaps he could pay the debt in one lifetime. Generally, a man like Hitler will suffer many lifetimes: “How oft is the candle (life) of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them!” Job 21:17. “And the earth will bring those long dead to birth again.” Isa 26:19 New English Bible.

The scriptures give us some interesting examples of how the wicked are to be punished in future lifetimes. Interestingly, part of the sealing powers of the priesthood is directed for such use: “And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings to the inhabitants of the earth, TO THEM IS POWER GIVEN TO SEAL both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; Yea verily, TO SEAL THEM UP UNTO THE DAY WHEN THE WRATH OF GOD SHALL BE POURED OUT UPON THE WICKED WITHOUT MEASURE. Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellowman.” D&C 1:8-10

Reincarnation is the only suitable explanation of the above scripture, for we are told that the wicked are sealed “Up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure…” When is this day to take place??? Verse ten indicates that it is just before the Lord shall come so it can only refer to the great judgments which are spoken of in the book of Revelations. Some of these judgments include pollution of the waters, grievous sores upon men, men will be scorched with heat, they will gnaw their tongues for pain, great wars with one army reaching two hundred million men, one third of men destroyed, the greatest earthquake in history, and many others. Read Revelations chapter 16 for example

How is it that the wicked in 1831 when the revelation was given can be here on the earth to suffer the wrath of God almost two hundred years later if there is no reincarnation? If you say the scripture is figurative or speaking of a punishment in the spirit world then how do you explain the next scripture: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book (of revelations) If any man shall add unto these things, GOD SHALL ADD UNTO HIM THE PLAGUES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK.” Rev 22:18 How could a Jew living in the days of John suffer the plagues which were to transpire nearly two thousand years later? How can one spiritualize this away and say it refers to the spirit world?

The book of Revelations prophecies about earthquakes, pollution’s, and wars on a physical earth, and plagues and deaths affecting the physical body. Plainly, then, he who adds to the book of Revelations must be reborn in “the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world.” Rev 3:10. He then will have added to him the plagues that are written in the book. Paul also mentions this: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you… Who shall be punished with everlasting (AIONIOS age-ending) destruction from the presence of the Lord.” II Thess. 1:6 & 9. Also: “Behold, I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” Rev 2:22.

Paul spoke appropriately of the last days when he said: “And fire shall try EVERY MAN’S WORK of what sort it is.” I Cor 3:13. The Lord said: “Therefore, inasmuch as you are found transgressors, you cannot escape my wrath IN YOUR LIVES. Inasmuch as ye are cut off for transgression, ye cannot escape the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption.” D&C 104:8-9 When one is turned over to the buffetings of Satan he “shall be destroyed in the flesh” D&C 132:26 & I Cor. 5:5.

When Nephi was interpreting the filthy water in his vision he said it was “hell”. His brothers then asked: “Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal? And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things BOTH TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL.” I Nephi 15:31-32 Here we have it in plain English. Hell is both temporal and spiritual. Men can suffer for their sins both in and out of the body, and since this temporal existence is part of “hell” how are men going to be sent there after they die if they are not born again?

“There cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.” I Nephi 15:34. Nephi tells us that that place which is prepared is hell, of which the filthy water in the vision was a symbol of, and such symbol “was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual”. Therefore those who suffer the temporal hell are sent back to the “temporal” earth.

The Missourians who persecuted the Saints are no doubt in Hell now. Many of them are now on the earth and have been born in very unfortunate situations, for the recompense they were given for their sins in the nineteenth century did not come close to paying for their sins. Of these people the Lord said: “Because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the uttermost… Wo unto all those that discomfort my people, and drive and murder and testify against them, saith the Lord of Hosts; a generation of vipers shall not escape the damnation of hell. Behold, mine eyes see and know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift judgment in the season thereof, for them all. For there is a time appointed (A future life) for every man, according as his works shall be.” D&C 121:13, 23-25

The Missourians who persecuted the innocent are sealed up to have the judgments of God to be poured out on them. Perhaps they will join those who are prophesied to be scorched with heat and their tongues will stick to the roof of their mouth that they cannot curse their Lord. Speaking of Joseph’s enemies the Lord said “I the Lord will avenge thee of thine enemy an hundred fold.” D&C 98:45. The Missourians were not even avenged one fold. They have a large payment to make and they completely escaped their debt in recorded history.

The punishment of Cain is interesting to examine. After he killed Able the Lord told him: “A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be IN THE EARTH.” Gen. 4:12 Cain was not a fugitive and vagabond in his lifetime. Instead he dwelt in the land of Nod and built a city called Enoch and formulated secret combinations to get control of the world. It is further stated: “And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass that everyone that findeth me shall slay me.” Gen. 4:13-14 Here Cain seems to fear that he will be slain more than once for he mentions that “everyone” that finds him will slay him. Let us read further: “And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” Gen. 4:15

Has anyone stopped to ask how the Lord will take vengeance of sevenfold on someone who killed Cain? Will such a person be put to death seven times? If he is to be put to death seven times, how can this be without reincarnation? As it is we have no record of anyone slaying Cain at all; so was the Lord merely speaking idle words? Hardly. The Lord does not have scripture written unless the words are to find fulfillment somehow. It’s quite possible that some of the culprits in the Book of Mormon were incarnations of Cain. Akish may be an example: “And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought for power, which had been handed down even from Cain.” Ether 8:15 Who would be in a better position to revive the secrets of Cain than Cain himself? He would have had subconscious memories of all the secret plans.

The scriptures tell us that not only Cain, but other evil men also keep appearing in history to fight against righteousness: “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” Jude Verses 3-4. Part of this scripture is badly mistranslated. It should read: “For there are certain men crept in unawares, the judgment of whom has been written about long ago.” Yes the judgments of Cain and the wicked in Sodom and Gomorra and other bad characters was written about long ago and they return to their fate of being fugitive and vagabonds on the earth.

The next verse in Jude is also interesting: “I will put you in remembrance, THOUGH YOU ONCE KNEW THIS, how the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Verse 5 Here we have an indication that those living in the days of Jude once lived in the days of Moses, for they “once knew” about that time period, but now had evidently forgotten.

The scriptures plainly tell us that the wicked will not always be allowed to incarnate among the righteous: “God shall likewise destroy (overthrow – Hebrew) thee for ever (continually), he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living.” Psalms 52:5

“Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land (In a future life): When the wicked are cut off, THOU SHALT SEE IT.” Psalms 37:34

Speaking of the curse on the wicked the Lord also said: “Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high LORD, AND IF YE BE BORN, you shall be born in malediction (under a curse – Hebrew), and if ye die, in malediction shall be your portion.” Ecclesiasticus 41:11-12. Here the prophet was clearly speaking of a future birth to those who were presently in the flesh.

One of the ways that individuals are made to pay for their sins is with sickness, disease and deformity in future lives. Can you think of a greater and more effective prison than being in a crippled body for a lifetime? Do you think a person suffers so just because of bad luck? Of course not. There is a justifying cause for everything that happens to us. “But,” says one, “I know this guy who is blind and he’s the sweetest man I ever met. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Yes, we all know many people who have their share of problems who are undoubtedly very nice persons, but keep in mind that no matter how nice we are now, that doesn’t mean that we haven’t done evil in the past.

Even within one lifetime we witness many wayward children become solid citizens and the spiritual leaders of tomorrow. Imagine how different you or I or our friends could have been thousands of years ago. Often, when a person commits a great sin he does not have the courage to pay for it in the next lifetime and the payment may be delayed for a long while until the individual develops the “guts” or internal fortitude to atone for his wrongs. By the time the courage has been developed he may have become a fairly nice guy.

The disciples asked Jesus: “Who did sin, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” John 9:2 From this question it is evident that they believed that a man paid in this life for sins in the past.

This doctrine helps us to understand some previously obscure passages: “Guilt was with me already when my mother conceived me.” Psalms 51:5 Knox Translation.

“And I was a witty child and had received a good soul, and whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.” Wisdom 8:19-20 Apocrypha

“All these things God may do to a man again and yet again, bringing him back from the pit (death) to enjoy the full light of life.” Job 33:29-30 New English Version.

Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up AGAIN from the depths of the earth,” Psalms 72:20

It is obvious that the Jews commonly believed that present misfortune was caused by previous sins. After Pilate had some Galilaeans killed Jesus asked some observers: “Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you Nay: but, except ye repent, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.” Luke 13:1-5

Here Jesus acknowledged that it was the common belief of the people that the greatest sinners received the greatest calamities. He didn’t say that that particular belief was wrong, but that it was a wrong judgment that those who had recently suffered an untimely death were the greatest sinners. He told them that they were as great a sinner as those who had died and confirmed that the common belief of the people was right by stating that “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” In other words the sins of his listeners were as bad as those who had suffered calamity and that such sins would bring a similar calamity. Then in verses six through nine he gives a parable illustrating their sin. He compared them to a tree which did not bear any fruit, which is good for nothing but to be cut down.

When Jesus healed the man who was sick of palsy he said “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” When the people cried blasphemy Jesus answered: “Whether is it easier to say to the sick of palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?” Mark 2:5-9 Interestingly, Jesus pointed out here that to forgive sins is a similar feat to healing. Jesus healed the man by merely forgiving his sins. The reason the forgiveness of sins healed him is that his sins , probably in a past life, caused the disease. When the hidden guilt was lifted a healing was effected.

Another time Jesus healed a man who had an infirmity for thirty eight years. Afterwards he met him in the temple and said: “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee.” John 5:1-9 Plainly here Jesus told the man that harmful deeds could cause an even worse thing than the infirmity he had had for thirty-eight years.
Who can deny and at the same time even claim to believe the scriptures, that sin does produce disease and affliction? If it can produce it in one life then it can cause it in several lives. Modern revelation agrees by stating that to be free of the destroying angel we must be “walking in obedience to the commandments”. D&C 89:18. Speaking of the wicked in Missouri the Lord said: “And I will answer judgment wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation (Lifetime), so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.” D&C 124:52

It would be unfair for the Lord to punish the children for the sins of their fathers, but since the Lord could not speak in terms of reincarnation it had to be written this way. As it is, many of the descendants of the persecutors have joined the church and are suffering no retribution. Who the scripture really condemns is not the children, but the actual transgressor, and he is condemned to suffer unto the third and fourth lifetime, or as long as he does not atone for his sins, or have his karma lifted through the power of Christ.

The scriptures even indicate that those who put Jesus to death will be here when he comes again. Their sins were so great that Peter did not offer them baptism, but commanded: “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus which before was preached unto you.” Acts 3:19-20

These murderers were to have their sins removed when Jesus comes gain. Speaking of these individuals Jesus speaks of the time of his second coming when he personally appears to the Jews: “And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament BECAUSE THEY PERSECUTED THEIR KING.” D&C 45:53. Interestingly, those who will see Jesus come again are the same who persecuted him. This is verified by another scriptural witness: “Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and THEY ALSO WHICH PIERCED HIM.” Rev 1:7

Isn’t it a fitting masterpiece of the justice of God to have the very individuals who put the Lord of Light to death, for whom he prayed for forgiveness, to have these same individuals delivered by this same Jesus, and greet him with a painful awareness of their sins, yet at the same time experience a joyful conversion? For these people Jesus will have great joy, like that of the Shepherd who found his lost sheep.

Conversely, the rewards of the righteous often extends over several generations or lifetimes. “know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS.” Duet. 7:9 A thousand generations would be more appropriately translated a thousand lifetimes.

Jesus said: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE.” John 10:9. What does it mean to go in and out of the door? The door is symbolic of the entry way between spirit life and mortal life. Pasture is representative of spiritual meat and drink the righteous find when they use Christ as their shepherd. The righteous will go in and out of mortal life according to their will and have great experiences that will enlarge their souls until they reach the desired pasture of the millennium spoken by Nephi: “And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him THEY SHALL FIND PASTURE. And because of the righteousness of the people, Satan has no power.” I Nephi 22:25-26. Here we find that the pasture is not some nebulous spirit world, but the pasture exists on this physical earth during the millennium of peace.

On this same thought Paul said “And the Lord will keep me safe from every attempt to do me harm and keep me safe until his heavenly reign begins.” II Tim 4:18 (New English). Keep in mind here that Paul knew he was about to die for he said a few verses earlier: “For I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (Verse 6). How was the Lord to keep him safe? Paul was to go in and out and find spiritual pasture until the heavenly reign begins. During that period he would be reborn and would enjoy the fruit of his labors.

Paul could easily say with David: “Lord, thou hast been. our dwelling place in all generations (From generation to generation New English Bible) Thou turnest men to destruction (Death); and sayest, RETURN ye children of men” Psalms 90: 1&3

Speaking to the Nephites who were present when Jesus visited the New World, Jesus indicated that they would be present when the dispensation of the fullness of times was brought in: “And verily I say unto you, I will give unto YOU a sign, that YE may know the time when these things shall be about to take place.” III Nephi 21:1

Samuel the Lamanite prophesied to the Nephites just before the birth of Christ that they would be the ones to suffer 400 years later: “And in the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure; and then SHALL YE WEEP AND HOWL IN THAT DAY (400 Years later), saith the Lord of Hosts. And then shall YE lament, and say: O that I had repented, and had not killed the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out. YEA, IN THAT DAY YE SHALL SAY: O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery…” Helaman 13:32-33

The Lord said that holy men “confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth; but obtained a promise that they should find it (The day of righteousness) and see it in their flesh.” D&C 45:13-14 What good would it do these men to see it in their flesh if they were raised to an immortal resurrection when Joseph Smith said that such resurrected beings “will not probably dwell upon the earth” (DHC 5:212) The real joy and reward would be the honor of being an actual part of that day of righteousness by being there in the mortal flesh participating.

When the day of righteousness shall come the Lord “shall say to the sleeping nations: “Ye saints arise and live; ye sinners stay and sleep until I shall call again.” D&C 43:18 In that day the wicked must stay in the spirit world and only the righteous can be reborn.

To the righteous in 1831 the Lord said: “But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory UNTO THEIR DELIVERANCE; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs.” D&C 56:18.

Speaking to scattered Israel in the days of Jeremiah the Lord said: “And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, EVERY MAN TO HIS OWN HERITAGE, AND EVERY MAN TO HIS OWN LAND.” Jeremiah 12:15. Those living in the days of Jeremiah will again obtain their property, but it could not be as immortal beings, for the immortals will not live here; thus they must obtain their inheritance as mortals. How can they do that if they are not born again?

Malachi gives us another indication as to how the Lord will deal with the righteous: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, IN THAT DAY ‘WHEN I MAKE UP MY JEWELS; AND I WILL SPARE THEM, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. THEN SHALL YE RETURN, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Mal. 3:16-18 Here we are not only told that Malachi shall return, but that the righteous from his day will be with him and shall be spared the latter-day judgments. Truly did David speak saying that God’s “promises are like metal tested in the fire.” Psalms 18:30 Knox

Speaking of the redeemed, John said: “And thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests: and WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.” Rev 5:10 “And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them…” Rev 2: 26-27. Is this some nebulous promise that we shall rule from some throne in heaven only? No! If we are righteous God will exalt us as Joseph the son of Jacob was. We shall return and rule the earth in the golden age: “And my people shall be redeemed and shall reign with me on the earth.” D&C 43:29. Then we shall truly realize the promise of the Lord: “For whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again.” D&C 103:27.

Solomon was speaking of past lives and ages of which we have no remembrance when he said: “There is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time which was before us. THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE OF FORMER THINGS.” Eccl 1:9-11. Moffat translates that last sentence: “There is no remembrance of THE MEN OF OLD TIME” In other words we have no remembrance of the men of old time – who we used to be.

David speaks along the same terms: “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to REMEMBRANCE my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.” Psalms 77:5-6

Now we have the testimony of Job. The words in parenthesis are clearer meanings from the Hebrew: “For enquire, I pray thee of the former age, and prepare thyself to search of their fathers (consider the fathers). For we are but of yesterday (beforetime) and know nothing (And do not know it) because our days upon the earth are a shadow.” Job 8:8-9 In plain English: We lived in the days of our fathers and we do not know it.

Has anyone stopped to consider the full meaning Of the following scripture: “So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt: 20:16. Also see Matt 19:30 Mark 9:35; 10:31; Luke 13:30; Ether 13:12; D&C 29:30 & 88:59. The world has a general idea of the surface meaning which is that many people who expect the greatest reward will receive the least, and many who are esteemed by the world as the first will be the last.

Not all that are presently first shall be last, but “many” Mark 10:31 will be. The many are those who are called and not chosen. Those who are first now and are chosen will continue to be first, but we are told that this number is few.

Many believe that this scripture is only fulfilled in the after worlds apart from mortality. For instance, a man who is a mere church member may rise above the church leader in the day of judgement.

Let me speak to you clearly and give you the true meaning. In the scheme of things man swings back and forth like a great pendulum. In one life he will be poor and spend his time dreaming of being rich. Since the Lord “granteth unto men according to their desire” Alma 29:4 God gives him the opportunity in the next life to be rich. However, the man is careless and abuses his blessing and does not return it to his Lord with usury. Thus the Lord takes his money from him and gives it to another; then in the next life the man is poor again and is again dreaming of riches. Then sooner or later he receives another chance at them. Thus the last become first and the first last, fulfilling the prophecy of David: “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he may set him with princes, even the princes of his people.” Psalms 113:7-8

Yes, in one life a man will be a peasant and in the next a prince. In one he may be weak and sickly, and in another healthy and strong. In one age he will suffer bad luck, persecution, sorrow, and in the next he will seem lucky, without a care in the world, spreading happiness wherever he goes. If the truth be known, one life in seven is a life of rest where we are blessed with peace and calm to gear up for the trials ahead.

Man must continue to shift from first to last and last to first until he learns to properly utilize the power and authority that comes from being first, Only a very few at a time learn this for “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.” D&C 121:39. Thus many who hold the priesthood will cry: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (By thy priesthood). And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Matt 7:22-23. When they are told that they have worked iniquity they will be quite puzzled and will wonder how this is the case when they seemed to do so much good through the priesthood. They will be answered- “You exercised unrighteous dominion. You did evil that good may come which is not of me.” When one tries 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.” D&C 121:37. For instance, if someone tried to stop me from expressing myself by using the control of the priesthood; God would say AMEN to his authority. Then, since the man would have no authority, there is nothing for me to subject myself to but God only.

For many lifetimes man, then, swings like a pendulum from one extreme to the other, and usually finds himself committing the sins peculiar to each extreme. when he lacks power he envies those who have it, and when he has power he abuses those who do not. We are told that “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction”. Matt 7:13 This broad way is the broad swing of the pendulum. The narrow way is the balance between the two extremes. This narrow way is what is meant by “salvation” in the scriptures. That is a man finally overcomes his enemies and becomes chosen – or chooses correctly.

He then has the privilege of obtaining power whenever necessary, because he has proven that he will not abuse such power. He becomes the first continually as far as the earth is concerned, but he then becomes among the “last” in the higher worlds of existence. Thus he is able to keep a balance on his humility, for even though he may be perfect as God is (Matt 5:48) and greatly honored here on the earth he is at the same time aware of how far he has to go in the higher worlds.

If a person were the top student in Algebra One and there were no higher courses and he had reached the highest degree of intelligence possible in that area he would begin to take great pride in his knowledge. On the other hand, if the student was aware that there were ten different courses in Algebra and he had mastered only the first, his outlook would be totally different. If he were to talk with others who had mastered Algebra two and three, he would feel quite humbled by the awareness of how far he has to yet progress, even though other Algebra One students think he is extremely brilliant.

This idea gives us a partial understanding to a reference Jesus made of himself: “I am the first and the last.” Rev 1:17. Jesus may be the first among the sons of men here on the earth, but he is “Least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 11:11. A statement like this, of course, causes those who are ruled by their emotions and believing that common sense has nothing to do with the kingdom of God – to howl for dear life. They think that no one could be greater than Jesus, yet he confessed that he was the least in the kingdom of heaven. Open your Bible and read it for yourself. Just think. If he was the least what would the greatest be like? How do you think Jesus was able to keep his humility? He keenly maintained this awareness that he was the least in the kingdom he was referring to. Jesus may be first here, but in a higher kingdom he is the last, so again we see that the first will be last. This is an eternal principle. Jesus will eventually be the first in the kingdom of heaven he was referring to, but then he will be the last in the next kingdom. This is part of eternal progression. What one accomplishes on a small scale here on the earth he must perform on a greater more exalted scale in the higher worlds.

Isaiah said: “He reduces the great to nothing and makes all the earth’s princes less than nothing.” Isa 40:23 New English. This principle applies whether the man is a prince on the earth or in the kingdom of God. The significance of our smallness must be manifest from time to time or our progression will stagnate. The position of Jesus now is comparable to a person who has completely mastered algebra one and is helping others master it, but at the same time is struggling with his algebra two lessons.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 9

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 9 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

The Return To God

For the past few generations the LDS church has had a wide gap in its definitions of “salvation” and “exaltation”. The authorities say that exaltation requires great effort; whereas salvation is freely given to all and requires little or no effort. We are told that when one is resurrected he will achieve salvation and all men will be resurrected whether they want to or not. Jesus grants this salvation to everyone.

I cannot blame one for reading the above doctrine into the scriptures for before I read them carefully I believed it myself. However, a closer reading of the prophets certainly reveals that salvation is not obtained with an effortless resurrection, for we already have shown that the immortal resurrection must be obtained through great effort. It is true, however, that when one does obtain the incorruptible resurrection he is saved (from rebirth). Before one can obtain this though, he must pass from “exaltation to exaltation,” as Joseph Smith said.

The scriptures plainly reveal that salvation must be earned. Paul said “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12. Alma said “ye should work out your salvation with fear before God.” Alma 35:37.

The word “salvation” is translated from the Greek SOTERIA which literally means to “rescue” or “deliver”. The word is really quite relative, but it’s meaning is quite consistent in the scriptures. There are three main things the scriptures tell us we will be delivered from: (1) Death, (2) Sin, and (3) Destruction at the end of the age. Deliverance from this destruction will enable one to reign in the kingdom of God during the millennium. We are told: “If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shall be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the Gift of salvation.” D&C 6:13

Generally salvation refers to deliverance from all of our enemies as Joseph Smith clearly said: “Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet IN THIS WORLD, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until he had put all enemies under his feet, and the last enemy was death,” DHC 5:389 Joseph Smith also said again and again that man is saved no faster than he gains knowledge.

Keeping the above quotes in mind we clearly see that salvation simply means deliverance from enemies through knowledge. Since this is so, how can the ignorant be saved unless they acquire knowledge? The Book of Mormon clearly tells us that the wicked will not be saved unless they make an effort: “But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance.” Mos 3:12 “But behold, and fear and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemed none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have willfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection. Therefore ought ye not to tremble? FOR SALVATION COMETH TO NONE SUCH; for the lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such.” Mosiah 15:26-27. “He shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and SALVATION COMETH TO NONE ELSE.” Alma 11:40.

It is clear then that salvation is not an automatic thing that happens to everyone in a universal resurrection as the church teaches, but is something that must be obtained by faith and knowledge.

Even though the prophets indicate that salvation will require considerable effort they also indicate that all will eventually obtain it. Joseph Smith was once reported by Mathew S. Davis in a letter to his wife as saying that all would eventually return to the presence of God: “Here he entered into some explanations, which were so brief that I could not perfectly comprehend him. But the idea seemed to be that the soul of man, the spirit, had existed from eternity in the bosom of Divinity; and so far as he was intelligible to me, must ultimately return from whence it came.” DHC 4:79

Jesus said something similar: “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matt 18:14. Paul also agreed: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Tim 2:3-4. People who doubt the scripture will say that God’s will is not always done, but they forget that “For with God NOTHING shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37. They also forget the prayer of Jesus: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10. I contend that if it is the will of God that none shall perish, then that will of God shall be fulfilled. I say that if God “allotteth unto men according to their wills” Alma 29:49 then God shall surely be able to fulfill his own will. If God cannot fulfill his will then you and I have great reason to tremble and fear for he may not even be able to save us if we repent! What else can the believing mind accept except that God’s will, will be done and eventually through free agency “ the last weary pilgrim will find his way home.

Those who say that the Lord has doomed the wicked to eternal banishment from his presence have not read the scriptures: “And now, behold, I say unto you, never at any time have I declared from my own mouth that they (the wicked) should return, for where I am they cannot come, for they have no power. But remember that ALL MY JUDGMENTS ARE NOT GIVEN UNTO MEN.” D&C 29:29-30. Here the Lord leaves the field wide opened, for he tells us that all of his judgments are not given, and why? “Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore IT IS MORE EXPRESS THAN OTHER SCRIPTURES, THAT IT MIGHT WORK UPON THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN, altogether for my name’s glory.” D&C 29:7

If the Lord told previous generations clearly that a way is opened for the wicked to eventually repent and return to his presence many would have become spiritually lazy and wait for the next life to repent, and their progression would be greatly delayed. Many are effected badly enough by the teaching that there is some repentance in the spirit world. Others say that since the telestial kingdom is supposed to be wonderful beyond our understanding, then that is good enough for them.

One can see why the Lord thought it wisdom to conceal the fact that all men will eventually return to his presence. But when you approach it logically one must ask, what loving Father would give up working on the deliverance of his sons and daughters? Is not God as good a father as we are? God has indeed prepared a way for all eventually to return. Whereas this knowledge may have an adverse effect on the laggards, truth will always inspire the righteous to greater heights. Think not that this has anything to do with Lucifer’s plan, for the Lord’s plan is predicated entirely on free agency, whereas Satan introduced a shortcut by taking it away. It is by no means the doctrine of the devil that God will always work for the salvation of man for it is written: “All flesh shall see the salvation of God”. Luke 3:6 Not only will many come back and see temporal salvation in Zion in the last days, but eventually all will gain the knowledge necessary to overcome his enemies. Will God ever stop a man from acquiring more knowledge? Verily, No.

Several scriptures referring to salvation also give indications of reincarnation. For instance we are told: “But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” What is meant by “the end”? The word “end” comes from the Greek TELOS which is most appropriately translated “consummation”. This refers to the consummation or end of the age just prior to the ushering in of the millennium of peace. The next verse makes this crystal clear: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the END (Consummation) come.” Matt 24:14.

Obviously enduring to the end does not mean the end of one’s life, but to the end of the age. How can one endure to the end of the age unless one is reborn here so he has the opportunity to endure?

Paul said that Jesus “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal 1:4 If, then the salvation of Jesus was to deliver us from this world, no salvation is to be confined to it. How can one be confined to mortal earth without reincarnation?

Since Joseph Smith said that all must ultimately return to God (DHC Vol 4; pg 79) it obviously follows that all will eventually be saved. This promise as well as many others must be cast aside unless we consider reincarnation.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 10

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 10 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Promises Unfulfilled

When the first quorum of twelve Apostles were set apart many promises were made which were not fulfilled in their lifetime.  I would venture to say that less than half of them came to pass during their lives. Here’s some examples:

Lyman E. Johnson was promised that “He shall see the Savior come and stand upon the earth with power and great glory.”  DHC Vol 2; pg 188

Heber C. Kimball was promised that “He may stand unto the coming of our Lord, and receive a crown in the Kingdom of our God; that he be made acquainted with the day when Christ  shall come; that he shall be made perfect in faith; and that the deaf shall hear, the lame shall walk, the blind shall see, and greater things than these shall he do.” DHC Vol. 2; pg. 189.

Orson Hyde was promised “That he may stand upon the earth and bring souls till Christ comes.  We know that he loves thee O, Lord and may this Thy servant be able to walk through pestilence and not be harmed; and the powers  of darkness have no ascendancy over him; may he have the power to smite the  earth with pestilence, to divide the waters, and lead through the  Saints; may he go from land to land and from sea to sea, and may he be like one of the three Nephites.” DHC Vol. 2 pg. 190.

David W. Patten was blessed “That he may go to the Nations and isles afar off.”  DHC Vol. 2; Pg. 190.  Actually, he was shot in Missouri before he could fulfill that blessing.  Also None of the above lived to see the Savior come in his glory for that day has not yet arrived and all the original twelve are now in their graves.  Orson Hyde was never like one of the three Nephites and he never divided the waters.

William Smith was also blessed that “He shall be preserved and REMAIN on the earth until Christ shall come to take vengeance on the wicked.”  DHC Vol. 2; pg. 191.

John F. Boynton was blessed thusly:  “Thou shalt stand in that day of calamity when the wicked shall be consumed, and present unto thy father, spotless, the fruits of thy labor.  Thou shalt overcome all the evils that are in the world.”  DHC Vol. 2; pg. 191.

Parley P. Pratt was promised: “You shall see a NATION born in a day.”  DHC Vol. 2; pg. 193.  Parley, of course died without seeing any such nation,  Was this promise in vain?  Were all the above promises the babblings of a false prophet?  While it is true that human error has to always be considered, it is also true that all of these promises can yet be fulfilled, for many of the early saints are upon the earth once more and their inner souls hunger for the day when these promises can truly be fulfilled.

I have met a number of people in our own day who have received beautiful promises in their patriarchal blessings, yet died seeing them unfulfilled.  I remember an elderly neighbor lady who received a promise that she would live to see Jesus come again.  The poor lady had faith in that blessing until the day she died.  Was her faith in vain?  No.  If she is judged faithful she may yet be born again and be here in the time period of the second coming.

I had some good friends who were blessed that they would have sons and daughters, yet they died in a car accident and only had one child.  Will they be able to see the fulfillment of that blessing? Yes.  They may yet have sons and daughters many times over.   If they are judged faithful they will “receive an hundred fold…children and lands.” Mark 10:30.

As I said we must recognize the possibility of human error any blessing given, even if stated by the greatest prophet in history.  We must also realize that human language is a very weak way of communicating, but even in taking this into consideration, there is no reason why we cannot assume that the above utterances are inspired and will someday be fulfilled.

Some people just tend to ignore promises like the above which have not been fulfilled, and like to pretend they don’t exist.  They lean entirely toward the heart and seem to think that using common sense is of the devil.  Others rationalize by stating that God will straighten things out in some nebulous way in the spirit world or resurrection.  Of course, they do not even bother to speculate on how God may do that, for speculation is of the devil, they believe.

All I can say is that I’m glad that Jesus speculated and stretched his mind beyond the law of Moses, or where would we be now?  Joseph Smith once said:  “Great God!  Is there no common sense on the earth!” DHC Vol. 5; Pg. 297     If he were here now and see how many refuse to think things out in their mind as well as there heart, he would probably ask the same question again.  “Behold, I will tell you in your MIND, and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost… This is the spirit of revelation.”  D&C 8:2-3.  If one wants the spirit of revelation he must use his mind as well as heart.  Logic and reason are not evil as many accuse.

So how will William Smith REMAIN on the earth until Christ will come?  Try and explain that without the principle of reincarnation.

John the Revelator was also given an interesting promise, of which we have no record of fulfillment:  “And I went unto the Angel and said unto him, Give me the little book.  And he said unto me: Take it, and eat it up;  and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.  And he said unto me, Thou must PROPHESY AGAIN BEFORE MANY PEOPLES, AND NATIONS, AND TONGUES, AND KINGS.” Rev. 10:9-11.

Concerning this the question was asked:  “What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th Chapter of Revelation?

A.  We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who as it is written, must come and restore all things.”  D&C 77:14.

Also concerning John the Lord said unto him:  “Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.”  D&C 7:3

The great mystery then is where is John?  The answer is that he has either reincarnated or is walking and teaching on the earth incognito through some supernatural means.  If the scriptures are true he has taught “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” during the past two thousand years.

The average member of the church better pray that the doctrine of reincarnation is true for he surely will not get to the celestial kingdom or the presence of God without it.  Also those who died without a testimony of Jesus while in the flesh go to the terrestrial kingdom. D&C 76:71-74.  But even to go here we must be honorable and honest.  To go to the celestial kingdom we must be “Valiant”.   When you go before the judgment bar and the angel asks you what you have done that is valiant – what will you say? Wouldn’t you want another chance at life at that time to prove that you really can be valiant?  Also, before we can enter the celestial kingdom we must receive the “Manifestation of the Spirit, while IN THE FLESH, (that) they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory.” D&C 76:118.  Why are we doing celestial ordinances for the dead, if they did not receive a manifestation of the spirit while in the FLESH???  Obviously, the only way those who died without such a manifestation can enter into such a world of glory, is to come back in the flesh and receive it.

And what is meant in the scripture by “manifestation?”   We are told that this is more than just a warm feeling, but that a man will have revealed to him things “not lawful for a man to utter”. Verse 115  These are things “seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit.” D&C 76:116. These are things which the average, or even the far above average member of the church cannot claim; thus they cannot claim the world of glory if their current belief system is accurate.

Therefore, the above average good Mormon who has not received such a divine manifestation should plan on going to the lower kingdoms for eternity – unless … unless there is some missing link of knowledge, such as reincarnation  which still leaves the door to the higher worlds open  to them.

Amazingly, the person with the largest number of unfulfilled promises was Joseph Smith himself.  To him the Lord said:  “And it shall come to pass that if you are faithful you shall receive the fullness of the record of John.” D&C 93:118.  The church believes that Joseph Smith was faithful unto the end, doesn’t it?  Where then, is the fullness of the record of John?

Continuing in that same section the Lord promises:  “That you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness.  For if ye keep my commandments  you shall receive of his fullness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace…Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is spirit, even the Spirit of truth…And NO MAN receiveth a fullness unless he keepeth his commandments.” D&C 93:19-20, 23, and 27.

Read the whole section and you will see that “fullness” means to become like Jesus was.  How can Joseph Smith or any of us receive his fullness without further testing?

Speaking of his greatest promise Joseph said:  “I feel like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over ALL my enemies, FOR THE LORD GOD HATH SPOKEN IT.” D&C 127:3

Many will say that Joseph did triumph over his enemies, and that the church is triumphing today, but scripture is not to be interpreted by impulse.  Let’s see what Joseph meant by overcoming his enemies: “Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet.  And when we have power to put ALL enemies  under our feet IN THIS WORLD, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved.” DHC 5:387

It is obvious that when Joseph was promised he would overcome all his enemies that he interpreted  it to mean those in this world as well as the world to come.  We know little about his work in the spirit world, but we do know that he did not overcome all his enemies in THIS world.  His enemies temporarily overcame him and he was shot before he could fulfill his dreams of Zion and “a nation born in a day.”   He further stated: “Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me dominion over every one of them” (His enemies). DHC 5:401  He also said:  “I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot overthrow or overcome this boy, for I HAVE A PROMISE FROM THE ETERNAL GOD.” DHC 5:554

Brigham Young also expected Joseph to Triumph for he stated in 1843: “Yet he (Joseph) will lay a plan to speculate as large as ancient Joseph did; he will have power to buy up all the rest of the world.”  DHC 6:16

Speaking of Joseph’s future the Lord said:  “The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision…But for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion,”  D&C 122:1&4

Joseph was just approaching the point of overcoming his enemies when he was killed.  He was indeed laying a plan to buy up the whole world and bring peace as ancient Joseph did.  Joseph and his successors were not successful in establishing “a government of our own,” (DHC 6:222) and thus Joseph did not overcome his enemies in that life, nor did he fulfill his dreams.

As Moses, he was not allowed to enter the promised land.  After the failure in Missouri the Lord said:  “Now, behold, I say unto you, my friends, in this way you may find favor in the eyes of the people, until the army of Israel becomes very great.  And I will soften the hearts of the people, as I did the heart of Pharaoh, from time to time, until my servant Baurak Ale, (Joseph Smith) and Baneemy (Mine Elders), whom I have appointed, shall have time to gather up the strength of my house…They shall have power after many days to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion.”  D&C 105:26-27 & 37 (1962 Edition)

This is another promise yet to be fulfilled for Joseph and the Elders were never able to deliver the land of Zion in Missouri in that life.  Yet the Lord spoke it and can also fulfill.  Joseph was told to teach and learn all that he could “That ye may be prepared in all things when I SHALL SEND YOU AGAIN to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission which I have commissioned you.” D&C 88:80 Again we are told that Joseph was to “remain unto them that have received his, that I may reserve unto myself a pure people.” D & C 43: Interestingly, Joseph Smith also said that he was to be a witness to the whole world and then the end should come.  See DHC 6:363

Concerning the future missions of Joseph Smith, he said his father “anointed my head, and sealed upon me the blessings of Moses, to lead Israel in the latter days, even as Moses led them in days of old.” DHC 2:380.  It might be said that Brigham Young led the Children of Israel like Moses, but Joseph Smith did not.

For further testimony we quote:  “For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins…And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, 0 house of Israel… And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people…  They that seek to destroy him shall be confounded…   I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him.” II Nephi 3:6,9,13,14, & 17.  All the authorities of the church interpret this person to be Joseph Smith; however, the Fundamentalists believe it to be a future Indian prophet and not without reason, for Joseph Smith in one life did not fulfill the entire prophecy.  His enemies overcame him and he did not deliver the people as Moses.  If one does not consider reincarnation it is understandable that one would solve the discrepancies by looking for another prophet.  Another prophet will indeed come, but it will be Brother Joseph who will lead the people as Moses and fulfill all the prophecies written about him.

One of the most important things the scriptures indicate that Joseph Smith will do is to expound the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon:  “Then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.  For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.  and AGAIN it shall come to pass that the Lord SHALL SAY UNTO HIM THAT SHALL READ THE WORDS THAT SHALL BE DELIVERED HIM… And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the (sealed) book…. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.”  II Nephi 27s22-24,29 & 35.

Again speaking of Joseph Smith in the Latter-day period he said: “But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore  they shall not hurt him although he shall be marred (martyred) because of them.  Yet I will heal him (bring him to life in a new body), for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.” III Nephi 21:10

Interestingly, just before Joseph Smith went to his death he stated that he expected to be marred more than any other man indicating that he believed he was the person talked about here as well as in the similar prophecy in Isa 54:t4.

Another interesting promise made to Joseph Smith is that he will hold the keys of the Priesthood until the Lord comes.  This is easily proved from the scriptures: “Rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him UNTIL I COME.” D&C 112:15

“Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come.”  D&C 90:3

Joseph’s Father blessed him that he would hold “The keys of the mysteries of the kingdom until the coming of the Lord.”  DHC 2:32

Even in our hymnbook we have the phrase in PRAISE TO THE MAN: “Ever and ever the keys he will hold.”  We also have the prophecy: “Millions shall know Brother Joseph again.”

Again, we find an interesting prophecy that cannot be fulfilled without reincarnation:  “And I have given unto him (Joseph) the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which  SHALL COME FROM THIS TIME UNTIL THE TIME OF MY COMING,  if he abide in me.”  D&C 35:18.  Did Joseph Smith abide in the Lord? All the authorities say “yes.”  If they agree to this then they must agree that he is the one, according to this scripture, who will YET bring forth those things which are sealed.  Since the Lord doesn’t send immortal beings to do our work for us, then the only way for Joseph to fulfill this prophecy is to come back as a mortal.  Who can refute it?  Who has logic strong enough to stand against it?

Joseph’s patriarchal blessing by his Father reads:  “Thou shalt hold the keys of this ministry, even the Presidency of this church, both in time and eternity… Thou shalt stand on Mount Zion when the tribes of Jacob come shouting from the North, and with thy brethren, the Sons of Ephriam, crown them in the name of Jesus Christ.” OUR LINEAGE (Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1933) pg. 14.  This certainly sounds like Joseph will be here during the winding up scene doesn’t it?

To Joseph the Lord also said:  “And this shall be you business and mission in ALL YOUR LIVES, to preside in council, and set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom.”  D&C 90:16.

The mission of Joseph Smith in his various lives is given in the allegory of the tame and wild olive tree in Jacob Chapter Five.  We are told:  “I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay.  The Lord of the vineyard is the Christ and the servant is Joseph Smith.  I will not quote the whole chapter, but the reader should read it all.  The allegory covers thousands of years and the servant is sent on numerous missions to work in the vineyard.  The ten tribes are hidden,  various branches are planted in the best part of the vineyard (America), the dispersion of Israel, Christianity, is all in the story and the servant is always there helping.  Each time the servant is sent to work in the vineyard it is symbolically speaking of Joseph being sent to the earth on a mission.

Finally speaking of the last dispensation  it says: “And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants (Brigham Young, John Taylor, Hyrum and others); and they were few.”  Jacob 5:70  After their mission is successful and the millennium ushered in the Lord said: “For behold, for a long time will I lay up the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season.” Verse 76  After this “long time” and evil fruit again appears the Lord indicates that he will send his servants to work for him again in verse 77.

A similar parable was given to Joseph Smith in D&C 101 :43-62. This parable concerns the redemption of Zion and again we have the Lord of the vineyard, the vineyard, the servant and his helpers.  The servant was told to redeem Zion and commanded to  “break down the walls of mine enemies… that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.”  D&C 101:57-58  “The servant said unto his Lord: When shall these things be?  And he said unto his servant:  WHEN I WILL;  go ye straightway and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you.  And this shall be my seal and blessing upon you – a faithful and wise steward in the midst of mine house, a ruler in my kingdom.  And his servant went-straightway and did all things whatsoever his Lord commanded him; and AFTER MANY DAYS ALL THINGS WERE FULFILLED.”   D&C 101: 59-62  Who fulfilled “all things?”  It was the servant.  The Lord himself answers: “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, that my servant Baurak Ale (Joseph Smith) is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given you.” D&C 103:21

How can any of these scriptures be fulfilled without reincarnation? In considering some of the scriptures referring to Joseph Smith, some of the early brethren speculated that Joseph Smith would come back as an immortal resurrected being and lead the Saints back to Missouri, but when has the Lord ever sent an immortal being to do the work of mortals?  That is not in the plan, and is against the law of the Gods, for there are certain things we must do for ourselves or they cannot get done at all.  After Jesus was resurrected and ascended he did not come back and head the church as an immortal, but let the mortal Peter do it.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever in principle and cannot interfere with the free agency of men, or must suffer the effects of karma himself.

If one really believes the scriptures one must believe that Joseph Smith has unfinished business that he must return and fulfill.

Finally we examine one of the more interesting promises made to Joseph Smith:  “I was praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man when I heard a voice repeat the following:  Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.  I was left thus without being able to decide whether this referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.”  D&C 130:15-17

This was indeed a confusing answer to Joseph.  He wrote this in April of 1843, and at this time he was already aware that he would not live to be eighty-five for he prophesied that he would not live to age forty.  He also reported to have prophesied that he would not go to the rocky mountains with the rest of the Saints.  How was he to interpret it?  Perhaps, he thought, that he should die and see his face, but if he died before the age of forty how could it be said that he saw the Christ when he was eighty-five?

Perhaps it referred to a previous appearing or the millennium he thought. Finally he concluded that the millennium would not begin before 1890.  That much he knew for sure.  Finally, the idea must have occurred to him that he may be born again and live to the age of eighty-five, for he was praying to know the date of the second coming so the answer must apply to that; yet according to Joseph’s own prophesies the second coming will not be until the beginning of the seventh thousand years or at least the twenty-first century. Concerning the book of Revelation Joseph was asked:  “What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?  We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.”  D&C 77:7

Here we are told clearly beyond the reach of argument that the seventh seal contains the things of the seventh thousand years which will begin at approximately the year 2000.  Almost all the Book of revelation deals with the seventh thousand years. Chapters eight through nineteen deal with this time period.

The ninth chapter deals with some of the last wars, and tribulations and concerning this, the question was asked:  “When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of revelation?
A.  They are to be accomplished AFTER the opening of the seventh seal (After the year 2000) BEFORE the coming of Christ.”

The 9th chapter just gives us the beginning of the tribulations. There are other things to come which may take quite a number of years.  Read the whole book and see.  In the face of all this evidence many in the church still say that the Lord will come BEFORE the year 2000. (I wrote this in 1978) We often hear people in the church say: “The coming of the Lord is nearer than you could imagine.”  Actually, it is farther away than they imagine and because they do not study the scriptures when the time passes that they expect the Lord to come and 2000, 2010, 2020 rolls by many will say “that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.”  D&C 45:26  But what are they saying now?  “The Lord is right on schedule!!!” They will not say that forever for the time will come when those who have not prepared will have their hearts and faith fail them.

In light of this evidence, why is it that so many expect the Lord to come before the year 2000?  (again the wording from a 1978 reference) The answer is that a day with the Lord is a thousand years to man and since the Lord made the world in six days and rested on the seventh then since the year 2000 approximately begins the Lords seventh day then the Lord will cause his millennium to begin around the year 2000.

This is good reasoning as far as it goes, but again someone did not read the scriptures..  It is true that the millennium is symbolic of the Lord’s day of rest, but the Lord did not rest at the beginning of the seventh day. He continued working:  “And on the seventh day God ENDED his work which he had made.”  Gen. 2:2 Then the same chapter goes on to tell us that God actually made Adam’s physical body on the seventh day and planted the garden of Eden.  Next God created the physical animals on the seventh day. See Gen. 2:19.  Finally, he created the woman.  Verse 21.

All this is easily verified in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Q What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?

We are to understand that as God made the world in six days and ON THE SEVENTH HE FINISHED HIS WORK, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so in the BEGINNING of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SEVENTH THOUSAND YEARS – the preparing of the way BEFORE THE TIME OF HIS COMING. “ D&C 77 :12.

It is obvious then that Joseph taught that the second coming was going to be AFTER the year 2000.  Isn’t it possible that Joseph expected to be here in that time period when he said:  “I prophesy in the name of the Lord God and let it be written – the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty-five years old.”  DHC 5:336.

In speaking of a future life when Joseph would live to be eighty five years old he told some faithful brethren:  “You will gather many people to the fastness of the Rocky Mountains and many of those who will come in under your ministry, because of their learning, will seek for position and they will gain eminence over you and you will walk in low places unnoticed, yet you will know all that transpires in your midst.  Those who are your friends are my friends, and I promise you that when I COME AGAIN I WILL LEAD YOU FORTH so that where I am you shall be with me.”  Life Story of Wandles Mace by Himself; Pages 131-132.

When will Joseph come again?  If we can figure out the time of the coming of the one mighty and strong we would know of the coming of Joseph Smith for the purpose of the one mighty and strong is to ”set in order the house of God”. D&C 85:7, and Joseph mission is to “set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom” in all his “LIVES”. D&C 90:16.  Obviously, these two are one and the same person.

We do have one indication as to when this person will come. Lorin C. Wooley,  who was a body guard for John Taylor recalled an address he gave after receiving a manifestation of the Christ and Joseph Smith.  Brother Wooley said:  “He (John Taylor) said that in the time of the seventh president of this church, the Church would go into bondage both temporally and spiritually and that in that day the one mighty and strong spoken of in the eighty-fifth section of the Doctrine and Covenants would come.”  A LEAF IN REVIEW Page 235.

The seventh president was Heber J. Grant.  In his day the church did go into financial bondage, which bondage the average member has no knowledge, but it was caused by church’s investment in the sugar industry among other things.  The church was taken in spiritual bondage because they began to believe that all was well in Zion and adopt the ways of the wisdom of the world; the church was no more out of Babylon.   Finally, if the prophecy was a true prophecy, then Joseph Smith who is to be the voice of one mighty and strong was reborn during the administration of Heber J. Grant (Nov 23, 1918- May 14, 1945).

Sound unbelievable?  I admit that it does.   Yet old clichés are often true.  “Truth is stranger than fiction.”

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 11

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 11 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Seeing They See Not

After Jesus gave the parable of the sower his disciples came to him and asked: “Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT TO THEM IT IS NOT GIVEN. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore, I speak to them in parables: because SEEING THEY SEE NOT; and hearing they hear not neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” Matt 13:11-18

Many people have the idea that Jesus taught in parables to make it easy for the common people to understand what he was talking about, but here he clearly tells us that the purpose of the parable was to give a surface meaning which would make people think they see and understand, yet the real meaning would lie concealed, which real meaning is one of the “Mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” Thus the people say “I see”, but see not. They say “I understand”, but they understand not just as Isaiah prophesied would be the case.

For some strange reason everyone who reads the Bible today believes that they are much smarter than the common people in the days of Jesus. They read the parables over, and also many other sayings of Jesus, and they say “I see, I see,” yet they see not. They see no more than did the common people at the days of Jesus. If this is so then what are the mysteries hidden in the sayings of Jesus and who can find them out?

Actually, many of the deeper interpretations were never written down in Jesus’s lifetime, but were passed down orally to those who were ready for the deeper doctrines and there were many things that were not even revealed to the apostles. Jesus said: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” John 16:12

Joseph Smith had a similar problem to Jesus in that he could not relate all that he knew. One time he said: “The design of the great God in sending us into this world, and organizing us to prepare us for eternal worlds, I shall keep in my own bosom at present.” DHC 5:403 He also said “It is not always wise to relate all truth.” DHC 6:608. Clearly, he followed this philosophy for when he was at one time expounding on some parables he was asked: “What is the meaning of the scripture, ‘He that is faithful over a few things shall be made ruler over many; and he that is faithful over many, shall be made ruler over many more?’ What is the meaning of the parable of the ten talents? Also the conversation with Nicodemus ‘Except a man be born of water and of the spirit?’ were questions put to me which I shall not answer at present.” DHC 5:325.

Why would not Joseph explain simple things like the parable of the talents and the conversation with Nicodemus? After all do not church members often hear the meaning expounded in Sunday school??? It’s obvious, isn’t it, that there are deeper meanings than that which we hear in the 2 1/2 minute talks. Let us see if we can find some of them out.

Nicodemus, we are told, was a ruler of the Jews. He was curious about Jesus, but since Jesus was condemned by the general authorities of the day he did not dare visit with him openly so he went secretly “by night.” He acknowledged to Jesus that he must be sent from God and Jesus told him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the SECOND TIME into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5

Most of us are familiar with the orthodox interpretation of the above scripture. That is: To be born again means to be baptized which is a symbol of a new birth. This is also the meaning of being born of water. Being born of the spirit refers to receiving the Holy Ghost. This interpretation is well and good, but it CANNOT be the meaning that Joseph Smith refused to reveal, because the above orthodox meaning was already abroad in the church and was by no means a secret. Obviously, there is more than one meaning.

The key to understanding the writings of the prophets is to discern the manner in which they were written and that is this: God inspired all his holy teachers to write their words in such a manner that there would be as many TRUE correspondences as possible. By having more than one true correspondence to each parable, story or scripture more than one truth could be communicated in one writing. There would be the surface correspondence for the masses and two or more deeper correspondences for those who “search the scriptures”. Where the scripture is not corrupted there is generally a numerical correspondence which is interesting to delve into, but serves no purpose in this writing.

Nephi understood this key to interpreting the scriptures: “I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” I Nephi 19:23 By using the spirit and correspondences Nephi was able to write clear interpretations of a large portion of Isaiah. If correspondences can be accurately worked out we can generally feel safe with the meaning ascertained.

Nephi felt comfortable in relating the scriptures of Isaiah and others to his people because they correspond and not because the original intent of the writer was meant only for his people. All writings inspired by the Holy Ghost has multiple meanings and applications because a lower truth always corresponds with a higher one.

One meaning then of being born again to see the kingdom of God is a physical rebirth or reincarnation, for the kingdom was not established in the days of Jesus and was a future event which was prophesied of by Daniel: “And in the days of these kings (Ten kings – Rev 17:12) shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” Daniel 2:44 A further reading of the entire chapter will tell us that this applies to a literal physical kingdom where the righteous will rule the earth. Such a kingdom is not yet here so how will a righteous man who lived in the days of Jesus attain it? He would have to be born again (reincarnated) to actually see this peaceful kingdom in the flesh.

On the other hand, there is also a kingdom of God within the person spiritually born again so we see that at least two interpretations have correspondences here.

Besides this scripture there was one other that Joseph Smith refused to comment on in his day and that was the parable of the talents and the statement “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.” Matt 25:21

Let us quote the parable in full and examine it more closely: “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliverest unto me five talents: behold I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliverest unto me two talents: behold I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him, hell done, good and faithful servant; thou hast teen faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

“His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gathered where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.” Matt 25: 14-32.

There are a number of correct correspondences to this scripture and several of them have been successfully enumerated but let us examine the core meaning which is not generally elaborated. To help understand this more fully the reader should compare it to Luke 19:11-27. This should also be read before continuing.

We find here several important points. First, the fulfillment of the scripture pertains to the Lord’s second coming and second he is speaking to his servants on whom he bestowed the keys and authority of the kingdom. Quoting from Luke, the parable begins: “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. and he called his ten servants, and he delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:11-13

Here we find that one of the main reasons the Lord gave this parable was because his disciples thought that the physical kingdom was going to manifest in their day, but Jesus explained that the certain nobleman (who was himself) was going to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. The far country is the abiding place of Jesus until his return. In that age Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world so he had to go away from the world to “receive for himself a kingdom”. How is he going to receive himself a kingdom away from the world?

When Jesus went to the far country he was alone among the perfected sons of God from humanity, but he was the “firstborn among many brethren.” Rom 8:29. As disciples became worthy they were received by Christ as an associate in this far country and personally trained by him. This is how he was to “receive for himself a kingdom and return”. One by one after his resurrection he received worthy brethren who were anointed to be kings and priests and began to form the nucleus of the kingdom to come. When his kingdom in the far country was large enough he would then return and rule the earth fulfilling the scripture: “For thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.” Rev 5:9-10

While Christ was building a kingdom in the far country he was also concerned with keeping a foothold in this world so he called a number of servants and commanded them to “Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13

This was a difficult commandment for his little band of troops which was expected to be upheld for several thousand years for numerous incarnations. Of these he said: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out (of incarnation) and find pasture.” John 10:9

Concerning those who were not disciples, but were to be citizens we are told that they “hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14.

Thus it was. After Jesus left, his little flock tried to “occupy” with the true doctrine of the kingdom, but the world would not have it and they hated the true Christ and made up one of their own that they could outwardly love. So here we have a prophecy of the great apostasy. Even though the gospel was restored in part we find here that the apostasy will be mostly in effect until he comes. For instance we read that “the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; UNTIL THE ANCIENT OF DAYS CAME, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints POSSESSED THE KINGDOM.” Dan 7:21-22. Thus we see that the kingdom will not be established with the saints in possession until Christ and the Ancient of Days return.

“And it came to pass, that when he was returned, HAVING RECEIVED THE KINGDOM, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” Luke 19:15

We see that when Christ returns he will have already received the kingdom in this far country, but his first priority is his servants. He wants to know what they have done with the talents he has given them. And what are the talents? The talents are the gifts of the Spirit and the keys and powers of God delegated to them. In other words, the Lord expects his servants to keep the oath and covenant of the priesthood and magnify their calling.

Magnifying our callings goes a lot deeper than most realize, yet an understanding is very important for we are told that “whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.” D&C 84:41

The Lord was angry with the slothful servant because he broke his commitments and did not magnify his calling. He may have been a Sunday School teacher, Bishop, and many other things, but if he merely upheld the status quo and tried only to do what was necessary in his office then that was not enough. The priesthood is separate from any office and this is what the servants are under covenant to magnify.

To understand how this is successfully done we must examine the faithful servants: We know they brought their master an increase, but an increase in what? Was it converts? No. For it was an increase in something the Lord gave them before he left and he left them virtually no converts. He explained that he gave them the talents to “occupy till I come”. In other words the talents include the power to occupy a foothold for the kingdom in the world. Jesus established a foothold through the power of his faith while he was here and he expected his disciples to continue with “greater works” while he was gone so that the foothold that he established would have an increase.

We find that the slothful servant hid up his talent because he was “afraid”. In other words, it was more because of fear than laziness that he did not magnify his calling. It’s quite possible that he was very busy making use of every minute of time, but in the wrong activity, that is an activity that did not require any courage for it takes great courage to try and magnify the foothold that Christ established on the earth and why is this? The parable itself explains: “But his citizens HATED him, and sent a message after him saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14. Jesus also explained: “Ye shall be hated of all men for my namesake.” Matt 10:22. This explains why the wicked servant was full of fear. He feared the persecution of the world by those who hate the true kingdom of Christ and desire the status quo instead. “Verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive.” D& C 67:3

To boldly go forth and establish a dominion for Christ on the earth always brings fear and persecution from the unprepared. This is why we always have those wicked servants among us who are afraid and want to water down the doctrine of Christ and say that Zion is only the pure in heart (of whom they claim to be) and that no literal gathering of Israel is necessary unless Jesus himself were to come do it for us.

On the other hand, those who magnify their calling will be given an increase in dominion, in other words “authority over ten cities”. Luke 19:17 It is interesting to note that Joseph Smith said that Zion was to be established by the building of “cities” and interestingly the faithful will soon have the opportunity to build communities of light.

Some will be given authority over more than cities for it is written: “But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto; the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron.” Rev 2:25-27

This is the reward of the righteous servant; to receive an increase in dominion, but before he can receive an increase he has to at least work toward establishing a dominion to begin with.

We are further told in the parable that if one is faithful over a few things he will be made ruler over many. The meaning of this is multifold. He who is faithful in using a few spiritual gifts will be made a master over many. He who is faithful in magnifying the small amount of power he has will be given a greater fullness. He who wisely disperses the knowledge he receives will be given hidden treasures. And finally he who works for the literal establishment of Zion will be given dominions over cities and more which he will rule, and finally eternal lives in the eternal worlds where he will eventually have share dominion over earths and various solar systems.

On the other hand, the reward of the wicked servant was to be cast “into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 25:30 The wicked servant will think that the Lord will receive him with opened arms but to his dismay he will discover merely rehashing a few old platitudes is not enough to satisfy the Lord, but “Precept MUST be added to precept.”

Finally the master will command: “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27 There will be great disruption before the coming of the Lord but the scripture also refers to a mental destruction. Old worn out ideas and dogmas will be slain by the powerful words and reasoning of the Lord when he comes, as well as by his servants who will pave the way for him, A man clinging to one of the many fables that Paul prophesied that men would believe in will appear to be a fool when placed beside one who has the fullness of the Spirit and their reasoning will not be able to stand. They will not abide the brightness of his coming which comes as a bright light and a whirlwind of pure knowledge executed with wisdom.

We can also see from this parable that one needs to understand reincarnation for a full understanding for the servants will toil in the world until the Lord comes and the patterns they set with their works will follow them from lifetime to lifetime and eventually from world to world.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 12

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 12 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

The Prodigal Son

Another parable worthy of elaboration is the story of the prodigal son: “A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, gather give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him to the fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy Son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said unto his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath recovered him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. and he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:11-32.

Those who say “I see, I see,” but do not see merely think this parable exemplifies two typical sons, one good and faithful and the other wayward. It is true that this is the surface meaning that Jesus intended to convey, but he was also illustrating several larger truths for those who “search the scriptures”.

The most obvious inner meaning is that of the “Father.” This represents “Our Father in heaven”.

The Father had two sons. The two sons represents two classifications of beings who dwelt in his presence. The one group was happy to stay in the Father’s presence at all times and did not want to venture forth into the lower worlds of material creations which would bring sin and separation from God. The other son said: “Father, give me the powers and gifts of my Sonship and I will go forth to the material worlds of creation and use these powers to bring honor and glory to thy name.”

The Father said in return: “As you will my son, for this is the path I chose in a previous round. But, be careful that the material worlds do not affect to great of hold on thee else ye fall and forget your inherit Godhood and think yourself only a material creation.”

Thus the son ventured off to “a far country” which was the planet earth, but instead of honoring the Father’s name he misused his powers and “wasted his substance in riotous living”.

Here we are talking about not one son of God, but a group who came here thousands of years ago to be the seed of Adam, for unknown to many there were men on the earth before Adam. For instance Hyrum Smith said: “There were prophets on the earth BEFORE Adam, and Joseph has the spirit and power of all the prophets.” Mill Star Vol. 23:Pg 406.. Orson Hyde said: “The world was peopled before the days of Adam as much as it was before the days of Noah.” JD 2:79.

The last Adam came and brought with him many righteous spirits who were to incarnate as his posterity and were to use the great gifts of the Spirit and Priesthood, or their inheritance from their Father, to be a light to the world of men who were in darkness. But instead of his posterity showing themselves to be true sons of God they “fell” into materialism and became trapped on this planet in an apparently endless series incarnations where they found themselves to be as other men spending their time in riotous living until they wasted all of their inheritance so it appeared as if they were no more sons of God.

Next a great famine arose and the son began to be in want. Instead of looking to his father, for he no longer felt he was worthy and was not sufficiently humble, “he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country.” In other words, he relied on the arm of flesh in his hour of spiritual need, but in looking to man for the gifts of the Spirit he found that he about starved to death for the unspiritual man inherently despises the true son of God and “sent him to the fields to feed swine.” Thus the son Of God walked in the low places of the earth unnoticed by the great and mighty of the earth and the authorities in the various religions.

The Son became desperate so that “he would feign have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: no man gave unto him.” This elect Son of God was almost deceived by the craftiness of men to the extent that he almost accepted the doctrines of men completely for “no man gave unto him” the gifts of the Spirit. finally in the midst of this bottomless pit a great thought entered into his consciousness: “When he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” The Son finally comes to himself after numerous lives of feeding the swine and living in the mire of materialism. It dawns on his consciousness that there has to be something better than the doctrines of men. He realizes that he no longer has to rely or! the arm of flesh for his food, that he doesn’t have to go through his priest or bishop or even a church to obtain access to the Father, but that he can go direct and receive spiritual gifts just as any servant of the Father can receive so he says to himself: “I will arise and go to my father.”

However, going direct to the Father, considering his past unworthiness, seems to him to be a bold thing and he feels unworthy in doing so and thinks to himself: “I Will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

Thus the son arises to go to the Father in anticipation of merely being a servant of God, but as soon as he aspires to be a true servant of worth having true humility he draws the attention of the Father even though his views were “a great way off”.

“But when he was yet a great way off his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

We are told that the Father had compassion because the Father was aware of the son’s experience with the pigs in the mire and the great famine and of his son’s “fall”, and because he had a similar experience as a youth he “had compassion” and rejoiced at his return. At this point the son received a glorious surprise. He was not met with scorn and ridicule by his father, but with great rejoicing and whereas he thought he would be lucky to be considered a servant, he was again proclaimed to be a son and since the resources of the Father are inexhaustible the son finds himself restored to all the Father has. They had a great party or the marriage feast of the lamb and the Father said: “This my son was dead (was subjected to the spiritual death or the fall) and is alive again.” (brought back into the presence of God).

However, when the older son found out about the merriment over the return of the fallen son he became angry because the Father had never killed a fatted calf for him that he might make merry with his friends. In other words, the first son had never fallen so deeply into matter and experienced the great sorrows that he may know great joy, but the Father said unto him “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Even though the first son shares all that the Father has he does not appreciate it and partake of as great joy as the second son for he had not experienced the great battle with opposition; thus the second son actually achieves the greater experience, joy and glory by descending below all things that he might rise above all things.

This earth is sometimes referred to as the battleground of the gods for it is a planet of unique sorrows and sufferings which can bring in the end, great joy to him that overcometh. Other beings of a fairly exalted nature who are timid to venture forth into this battleground tend to look upon the victors here with awe and an almost godly type of jealousy at their conquest and return home.

As the Lord was discussing various kingdoms and heavenly bodies he gave a parable to Joseph Smith: “Behold, I will liken these ‘kingdoms unto a man having a field, and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field. And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my countenance. And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance. And also unto the third saying: I will visit you; and unto the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth. And the Lord of the field went unto the first in the first hour, and tarried with him all that hour, and he was made glad with the light of the countenance of his lord. And then he withdrew from the first that he might visit the second also, and the third, and the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth. And thus they all received the light of the countenance of their Lord, every man in his hour, and in his time, and in his season- beginning at the first, and so on unto the last, and from the last unto the first, and from the first unto the last; Every man in his own order, until his hour was finished, even according as his Lord had commanded him, that his lord might be glorified in him, and he in his lord, that they might all be glorified. Therefore, unto this parable I will liken all these kingdoms, and the inhabitants thereof – every kingdom in its hour, and in its time, and in its season, even according to the decree which God hath made. And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near.” D&C 88:51-62

Again the meaning of the parable is multifold. For instance on the earthly scale there are twelve divisions among mankind, symbolized by the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve signs of the Zodiac. God visits each nation in its time as the prophet says:

“For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.”
II Nephi 29:12

Each nation and people have their hour when they are visited by a messenger of God representing the Christ. Every people has their holy words and scriptures. Even though they are not recognized by Christians, they are still the words of God through visitation of the Spirit adapted to the capacity of the various peoples.

On a larger scale there are divisions of twelve, seven and three, many of which are unknown to us, but all will be visited by a higher life performing the work of redemption. And what is that?

The name of Jesus Christ means “anointed to deliver.” Jesus did not intend to keep the name just for himself, but advised all of his followers to take the name upon themselves. All enlightened souls are anointed to deliver those of a lower vibration. When we have been “saved,” or elevated, by someone above us, then it is our mission to lift or deliver others to higher ground. There is a universal rule which tells us that we cannot go higher until we have given out what we have learned and assisted in lifting our brethren to where we are. When we have done this, then another will come along and lift us to higher ground. This is the principle behind the name of Jesus Christ. To believe on His name is to believe on this principle, that there are higher lives in the universe waiting to help deliver, or “save” us when we are ready.

When we are visited by one representing the office of Christ this Being will seek to lift us up to the next kingdom which we call the Kingdom of God. But then there are a “higher order of kingdoms” (D&C 130:10) than even the celestial, and beings in the higher order of kingdoms representing he redeeming power of Christ on an still higher level “visit” the celestial kingdom and seek to deliver them from the lower to a yet higher.

And thus the work of eternal progression goes forward within twelve kingdoms, yes, verily, twelve times twelve times twelve – eternal lives on the eternal worlds.
Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 13

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 13 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Who’s Who

When. one considers the doctrine of reincarnation his mind will naturally reflect not only on who he may have been, but also others in history who have held high esteem in his eyes. One may consider the good guys such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, , Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and the bad guys such as Nero, Hitler, Boggs and others. One wonders what other roles they played in history and even more interestingly – Are they here on the earth again with us now?

One clue as to possible past lives may lie in some of the substitute names given in the Doctrine and Covenants. For instance Joseph Smith is referred to as Enoch, Gazelam, and Baurak Ale. (See D&C 78:1, 82:11 & 103:21) Newell K. Whitney called Ahashdah, (D&C 96:2j John Johnson is Zombre (D&C 96:9), Sidney Rigdon is Pelogoram (104:22), Oliver Cowdery is Olihah (104:22), Martin Harris is Mahemson (104:24), and Frederick G. Williams is Shederlaomach (104:27).

All of these names except for Enoch are original names. Instead of being merely code names could the/Lord have actually been giving out their previous identities in some ancient land such as Egypt, Israel, or America? On the other hand, just because Joseph was called Enoch here is not iron clad proof that he was Enoch who built the city, but it is quite possible that all of our famous Mormon brethren could have lived in numerous ancient civilizations of which we have no record. Perhaps Joseph as Baurak Ale was quite famous at some ancient time, but is now forgotten to history.

More impressive is the Lord’s associating the brethren with certain Biblical characters. For instance there is a strong indication that Oliver Cowdery was Aaron. Oliver was told: “You have another gift, which is the gift of Aaron; behold it hath told you many things; Behold there is no other power, save the power of God, that can cause this gift of Aaron to be with you. Therefore, doubt not, for it is the gift of God; and you shall hold it in your hands.” D&C 8:6-8.

This scripture is even more striking when one considers that a very important word has been changed. In the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants it reads: “Rod of Aaron” instead of “Gift of Aaron”. The word “gift” does not make sense because Oliver was told that he would hold it in his hands. It is interesting then that Oliver was given a rod just as Aaron was, and his rod generated power just as Aaron’s did.

Oliver was the first with Joseph to receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist, and he was ordained in an earthly ordinance to this priesthood, even before Joseph Smith, by the Prophet. Oliver was told that he was “called and ordained EVEN AS AARON”. D&C 27:8.

Concerning Edward Partridge it was written that “he is like unto Nathaniel of old, in whom there is no guile.” D&C 41:11 Could this be the Lord’s way of hinting that he was Nathaniel in a previous incarnation?

Was Hyrum, Hiram, King of Tyre from the Old Testament? Could it be that Brigham Young was King Solomon? Just as King Solomon built the temple without the sound of a hammer (I Kings 6:7) so did Brigham construct the tabernacle in Salt Lake without hammer or nails. Both are famous for having many wives and furthermore, Solomon had sculptured lions on both sides of his throne and ornamenting his house just as Brigham had two of them guarding the entrance of his home he called “the Lion House”. Brigham was often referred to as “the lion of the Lord.” You will also notice that many of Brigham’s sermons sound amazingly like the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastics written by Solomon.

One would naturally wonder what place in history Joseph Smith would have played. Perhaps it was a longer one than one would even dream for Hyrum said: “There were prophets before Adam, and JOSEPH HAS THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ALL THE PROPHETS”. Mill Star Vol. 23; Page 406.

In revealing a few elementary mysteries Joseph said: “would to God I had forty days and nights to tell it all.” DHC 6:313 A short time later in the same speech he said: “No man knows my history. I cannot tell it. I shall never undertake it. I don’t blame anyone for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself… When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. I add no more. God bless you all. Amen.” DHC 6:317.

This was a strange statement for the Prophet to make, for many were quite acquainted with his history in that life He usually had a scribe at his side at all times just for the purpose of keeping a historical record. There were quite a number of saints familiar with the ministering of angels and visions that he experienced so the question naturally arises as to what history he was referring to that he could not disclose? He also indicated that the saints did not know him at that time, but would when the archangel would call him forth and weigh him in the balance. Is it not obvious then that the history he was referring to was before his birth?

This is indicated in another quote: “Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would want to call it blasphemy and want to take my life.” Life of Heber C. Kimball Page 333.

When one reads between the lines here it is obvious that Joseph Smith had a knowledge of some of his past lives and was very hesitant to reveal them.

The Lord, however, gave several hints in various revelations: “He shall be blessed unto eternal life; and his name is Joseph.” D&C 18:8 Also:: “THOU ART JOSEPH, and wast called to do the work of the Lord.” D&C 3:9 Was the Lord here identifying him in a dual manner, not only as Joseph Smith, but as a previous Joseph such as the one who was sold into Egypt? Is this why Joseph of old, when prophesying of the mission of Joseph Smith, wrote of him: “He shall be like unto me.” II Nephi 3:15.

Why was Joseph Smith told that he was “called and chosen to WRITE the Book of Mormon”? We know that as Joseph Smith he did not write the book, but translated it. The one most responsible for compiling and writing it as it reads was Mormon. Could this be a clue that Joseph was once this ancient hero? This would mean that Moroni was no stranger to Joseph for they had worked together before (Since Mormon was his father)..

His mother gives an interesting account of Joseph’s early childhood that indicates that Joseph had flashbacks to lives on the ancient American continent: “During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He could describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, AS IF HE HAD SPENT HIS WHOLE LIFE WITH THEM.” LUCY SMITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Pg. 85.

It is interesting that this occurred when he was a young boy before he ever met Moroni in this life and before he was supposed to know anything about those ancient inhabitants. It sounds as if he were merely recalling his past life experiences just as numerous young people do today to an ever increasing degree.

We shall try here to verify Joseph’s past lives by some amount of reasoning process for we realize that the reader cannot be expected to accept all that is written on intuition alone.

The most obvious past life of Joseph Smith is that of Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Several years before his death Joseph Smith prepared for himself an elaborate tomb and he insisted it be called: “The tomb of JOSEPH, a descendant of Jacob.” DHC 5:127 He was indeed a descendant of Jacob, for Jacob was once his father.

Joseph evidently had Brigham Young convinced that he was going to reenact the performance of ancient Joseph for Brigham said: “Yet he (Joseph) will lay a plan to speculate as large as ancient Joseph did; he will have power to buy up all the rest of the world.” DHC 6:16.

Now if we could find evidence as to the other lives of ancient Joseph we would have a clue as to other lives of Joseph Smith. Fortunately there is one clue in the scriptures in the Psalms of David: This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I (David living as Joseph) HEARD A LANGUAGE THAT I UNDERSTOOD NOT. I (the Lord) removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. Thou callest in trouble, and I delivered thee; and answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I PROVED THEE AT THE WATERS OF MERIBAH.” Psalms 81:5-7

Here we are told quite plainly that David was both Joseph and later Moses. David clearly said that as Joseph he had heard a language that he understood not, that being the language of the Egyptians after he was taken into captivity. The Lord here also told David that he was proved or tested at “the waters of Meribah”. This is a flashback to his life as Moses where he smote the rock at the place he named Meribah arid brought forth water for Israel to drink, but at that time Moses failed the test and did not give glory to the Lord; thus he was not allowed to enter the promised land. (See Exodus 17:5-7) Seeing then that the Lord was aware of David’s valiant lives as Moses and Joseph he called David “a man after his own heart” (I Sam 13:14) when he was yet but a lad. We can also see why “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him” (Ex 13:19) when he left Egypt, for Moses was once Joseph. In another way Moses was taking the bones of Joseph by merely bringing himself out of Egypt. It was quite fitting for this entity to deliver Israel, for it was because of him that Israel moved to Egypt in the first place.

Since we have an indication here that Joseph Smith was once ancient Joseph, Moses and David one may ask how this could be so since Moses appeared to Joseph Smith. (See D&C 110:11) This is easily explained since .Moses as a head of a dispensation could also be represented as an office just as the Christ, Elijah and Elias are. For instance the one who spoke to Nephi several hours before the birth of Christ identified himself as the savior, but it could very well have been an angel representing Christ since his birth was a mere few hours away.

Also the God that appeared to Moses said: “And worlds without number have I created…and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.” Moses 1:33.

It is fairly obvious that one being did not make all there is nor is there only one Only Begotten. Joseph Smith said: “The heads (Plural) of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take that view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfection of the Gods.” DHC 6:476.

Joseph stated: “Jesus is one of a grand order of Saviors. Every world has its distinctive Savior and every dispensation its Christ.” Women in Mormondom by Edward W. Tullidge; Page 192.

Thus we see that when a being achieves the position of the Father or a Christ that he can identify with the creators of all there is just as the Being did who appeared to Moses.

There is quite a lot of evidence that Joseph Smith could have been Moses for not only did he receive writing of ancient Joseph but received the Book of Moses. When he received the Book of Moses could it have been a mere recalling of something previously written?

Concerning Moses Joseph Smith said: “Moses was a stammering sort of boy like me.” DHC 6:478

Interestingly Joseph was told that the Lord would raise up one like Moses: “Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power; therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man who shall lead them LIKE AS MOSES led the children of Israel. For ye are the children of Israel, and the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched out arm. And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.” D&C 103:15-18

An elaboration of the redemption of Zion is given in the Doctrine and Covenants 101:44-62 and here the Lord talks about a servant who will redeem Zion “after many days”. Then the Lord says: “My servant Baurak Ale (Joseph Smith, Jun.) is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given unto you.” D&C 103:2

It is obvious then that Joseph Smith and the one like Moses are the same person for they are both prophesied to redeem Zion.. Also read D&C 105: 26-27,37. Joseph said that his father in a blessing “anointed my head, and sealed upon me the blessings of Moses, to lead Israel in the latter days, even as Moses led them in the days of old.” DHC 2:380

In speaking of this future Moses the Book of Mormon says: “And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing.” II Nephi 3:17-18

This is also in harmony with the prophesy of the one Mighty and Strong: “And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God.” D&C 85:7

Here the One Mighty and Strong is like unto Moses for he will have a “scepter of power” or a rod like Moses. Next he will have light for a covering just as Moses did numerous times and his mouth shall utter words, eternal words (words that shall not pass away, or be forgotten) like Moses did.

The Lord gives a strong indication that Joseph Smith will be this mighty and strong one to set the kingdom in order for he told him: “And this shall be your business and mission IN ALL YOUR LIVES, to preside in council, AND SET IN ORDER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THIS CHURCH AND KINGDOM.” D&C 90:16

If Joseph Smith is to be the one like unto Moses it is small wonder that the Lord told him: “But a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion.” D&C 122:4 This never happened in his lifetime but the scripture would certainly be fulfilled if Joseph was given powers similar to ancient Moses.

There are many indications that Joseph Smith will be sent to dwell with us again. After he was commanded to mentally prepare himself the Lord told him the reason was “that ye may be prepared in all things WHEN I SHALL SEND YOU AGAIN to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.” D&C 88:80

Joseph Smith himself prophesied of his second coming for in speaking to the Nauvoo Legion he said: “You have faithfully performed your duty, in preserving the lives of the people as well as mine. You shall be called the first elders of this church…And your mission will be to the nations of the earth to preach the gospel, and to gather many people to the fastness of the rocky mountains, and many of those who will come in under your ministry because of their learning will seek for position and they will gain eminence over you, and you will walk in low places unnoticed. Yet you will know all that transpires in your midst. Those who are your friends are my friends AND I PROMISE YOU WHEN I COME AGAIN I WILL LEAD YOU FORTH, SO THAT WHERE I AM YOU SHALL BE WITH ME.” LIFE STORY OF WANDLES MACE, by himself; pages 131-132.

We also have a similar promise given in a revelation to Parley P. Pratt that Joseph would come again in the flesh; Just after Joseph and Hyrum were shot Parley was pondering in his heart as to how he was going to explain his death to the saints. He was quite concerned because it appeared to him that all of the promises made to Joseph were not yet fulfilled and he prayed thus: “O Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray thee, show me what these things mean, and what I shall say unto thy people? On a sudden the Spirit of God came upon me, and filled my heart with joy and gladness indescribable; and which the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were a fire. The Spirit said unto me: ‘Lift up your head and rejoice; for behold! It is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My servant Joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation, AND HE SHALL STAND IN DUE TIME ON THE EARTH IN THE FLESH, AND FULFILL THAT TO WHICH HE IS APPOINTED.” Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt; Page 333.

After one has studied the chapter called PROMISES UNFULFILLED he can see why God made this statement for we see here that there are many promises made to Joseph that he did not fulfill in that life.

Unfortunately, the average Mormon will merely think that the above two quotes has reference to Joseph’s return as a resurrected immortal being. Anything that cannot be explained by the normal reasoning process he will feel will be explained in the resurrection. This is partially true since reincarnation is the resurrection of KRISIS as explained in the Bible, but it is not the resurrection to immortality.

There are several obvious reasons why Joseph will not come back as an immortal being among which are:

(1) There is no precedent. Never in history has God sent a resurrected being to accomplish what can be done by mortal men.

(2) The scriptures indicate that Joseph will live to be eighty-five years of age when the Lord comes. To fulfill this he would have to be born here in the flesh.

(3) Brigham Young said Joseph Smith would be able to buy up the world as ancient Joseph did. Can you imagine the Lord sending a resurrected being to do this?

(4) Joseph was told that he would lead his people as Moses. To be as Moses he would have to be a mortal as Moses was.

(5) Joseph was promised that he would be the one to redeem Zion. The one who will do this is refereed to as the marred servant “marred more than the sons of men”. (See Isa 52:24 & III Nephi 20:44.) Does it make sense that Joseph Smith would appear to lead the saints to Zion in a resurrected body that is also marred?

(6) Joseph was promised that he would restore all things. (See D&C 132:40&45) There are many things yet to be restored which was left unfinished when he died. Some things yet to be restored are: (a) The sealed portion of the gold plates. (b) The fullness of the record of John. Joseph Smith was specifically promised that he would restore this. (See D&C 93:6) (c) The ten lost tribes. (d) The Bible and lost scriptures are yet to be restored in their original form. (e) Joseph said the fullness of the priesthood is yet to be restored.

(7) Joseph is to reveal all the mysteries until the Lord comes: “And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, AND THE THINGS WHICH SHALL COME FROM THIS TIME UNTIL THE TIME OF MY COMING, if he abide in me.” D&C 35:18. Also see DHC 2:32

(8) Joseph commented on several occasions that he would go to hell to redeem his wayward wife Emma for when he received the revelation on plural marriage and later presented it to her she was furious. Hyram tried to break the revelation to her gently and he returned to Joseph commenting that he had never received such a tongue lashing in his life. Later he presented it to Emma in person and Emma was so upset she took the revelation into the other room and burnt it in the fireplace thinking it was the only copy. (See JD 17:159.)

Brigham Young once said that she was more full of the devil than any woman he ever met. Even so Joseph loved her despite her opposition for she seemed to undergo some personality change after the revelation on plural marriage. Joseph once said to Benjamin Johnson: “Benjamin, look at these children, how could I help loving their mother. If necessary I would go to hell for such a woman.” Johnson to Gibb page 4. Brigham Young commented on this and said that if Joseph wanted Emma then he would have to go to hell to get her, but where is hell? We have already concluded and proven from the scriptures that it is right here on this earth. Thus it is logical that he would come back to this earth as a mortal and keep his promise to find his estranged wife again.

(9) Finally, Joseph is to be the one mighty and strong and “set in order the house of God.” This is expanded in another article, but it is obvious that Joseph Smith is to be this particular person for he was told: “And this shall be your business and mission in ALL YOUR LIVES, to preside in council, AND SET IN ORDER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF THIS CHURCH AND KINGDOM.” D&C 90:16

Most people who believe in this coming one expect some great display of power to identify him, such as perhaps a resurrected being appearing to the General Authorities commanding them to repent, but such will not be the case. Perhaps a clue as to what to expect may be gained from Isaiah: “Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephriam, shall be trodden under foot… The priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink (doctrine), they are swallowed up of wine (knowledge) they are out of the way; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Isa 28:2-3,7

The Hebrew for “mighty and strong” can also be translated here “determined and resolute”. Whoever this one is he will certainly be this, but he will also eventually display power as Moses did, but let us remember that Moses was eighty years old before he was given much power and Joseph Smith was told that he would see the face of the Son of Man if he lived to the age of eighty-five. It is quite possible that the one like Moses, this determined and resolute one, may even be a little older than Moses before he becomes the one like Moses. On the other hand this one may display quite a lot of spiritual power before he sees the face of the Son of Man.

Joseph Smith had a particular mission that required the vigors of youth, but the one like Moses will have a mission that will require the wisdom of experience, acquired knowledge, and the mellowing of age under his belt.

There are several other indications of the past lives of Joseph Smith. For instance we have established the indication that he was Joseph who was sold into Egypt. If this is so then the scriptures also hint he was also Seth: “For he is a descendant of Seth (Joseph) and a partaker of the blessings of the promise made unto his fathers.” D&C 96:7

The prophet Daniel also received the promise: “But go your way to the end and rest, and you shall arise to your destiny at the end of the age.” Dan 12:13 (New English). Here we have a strong indication that Daniel will be reborn at the end of the age to fulfill his destiny. The prophet Joseph has been described as having the wisdom of Daniel. If not he then some other entity will come forward to fulfill this prophesy.

Joseph had numerous past lives that we cannot prove by the scriptures, as well as the other brethren and the rest of humanity.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 14

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 14 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Prophets Who Live Again

Another entity who can be identified several times in the scriptures is Elijah. However, much confusion has arisen over this name because Joseph Smith made a distinction between the names Elias and Elijah calling them two separate offices and in D&C 110 they even seem to appear as two separate personages. Joseph has often been justifiably criticized for making this distinction for the New Testament is written in Greek and every time this word (Elias) appears in the New Testament it refers to the Ancient prophet Elijah and none else for Elijah (Hebrew ELIJAW) translates directly into the Greek Elias (Greek HELIAS). Non Mormon scholars merely believe that Joseph forgot to check the original languages on these two words and became confused as he created his doctrine, but such is surely not the case for he had a reasonable grasp of both the Hebrew and the Greek and surely realized that these two words were the same.

The answer is quite simple. There was a particular office that had no name as yet in the English and he felt the name Elias was as good a name as any to call it. In explaining this he said: “The Spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias or the Priesthood of Aaron.” TOTPJS Page 335. The next office he called Elijah. Concerning this he said: “Now for Elijah. The Spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Kingdom of God on the earth.” TOTPJS Pg. 337. Thus we see why Joseph said: “There is a difference between the spirit and OFFICE of Elias and Elijah…” TOTPJS pg. 335. One simply represents the Aaronic Priesthood and the other the Melchizedek. Joseph said he represented the office of Elijah or Melchizedek. When personages appear in the scriptures and are identified as Elias or Elijah (referring to modern revelation) they represent one of those offices and not necessarily the person Elijah.

Similarly he also referred to the Christ or the Messiah as an office. (DHC 6:254) We have a good example in the scriptures of someone besides Jesus identifying with this office of the Messiah, none other than the Holy Ghost: “And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying (that is the Holy Ghost is saying:) I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever.” Moses 5:9 Most do not believe the Holy Ghost and Jesus to be one and the same person so how else could the Holy Ghost identify himself as Christ unless it is an office that can be attained and delegated as Joseph indicated?

The beginning of the belief that Elijah would come again is given in the familiar scripture: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse..” Mal 4:5-6

Malachi seems to speak of this messenger again in saying: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me: and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple…” Mal 3:1

Ironically, both of these prophesies were fulfilled during one turn of the wheel by John the Baptist.

In speaking of John the Baptist Jesus said: “But what went ye. out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. FOR THIS IS HE OF WHOM IT IS WRITTEN, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee…” Matt 11:9-10.

Thus we have positive identification that John the Baptist is the person (Elijah the prophet) prophesied of in Malachi chapter three. The Apostles were familiar with the prophesy of Elijah and there was much talk in Jerusalem about the coming of Elijah before the appearance of the Messiah. Thus “his disciples asked him saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias (Elijah) must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come and restore all things. (This refers to a future coming) But I say unto you, that Elias is COME ALREADY, AND THEY KNEW HIM NOT, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Matt 17:10-13.

Clearly we see that the person identified as the fulfillment of the coming of Elijah was none other than John the Baptist. So we have here definite proof that John was the messenger talked about in both of the prophesies of Malachi.

However, the prophesies will be fulfilled twice for the Messiah will have yet another appearance. Thus we can look for one or more appearances of one like Elijah in modern times.

Another prophecy which leads to the positive identification of John the Baptist as Elijah was given directly by Moroni: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah THE PROPHET, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. D&C 2:1

Here we see that the priesthood would be revealed, not by someone occupying the position of Elijah, as Joseph Smith did, but by Elijah the prophet himself. Moroni wanted to make this clear so he specified “Elijah, the prophet”. But who did reveal the priesthood. Amazingly the first one to reveal the priesthood was none other than John the Baptist himself as related in D&C 14!!!

If one accepts the scriptures the way they are written, then, there is no possible way to deny that John the Baptist and Elijah the Prophet are one and the same.

It is interesting to compare the lives of John the Baptist and Elijah. There are a number of fascinating similarities. For instance, they both lived in the wilderness a good part of their lives. Their physical appearance was also amazingly alike. Concerning Elijah it is written: “He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” II Kings 1:8. Then of John the Baptist it is written: “And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins.” Matt 3:4 Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old testament and John was one of the greatest in the New Testament.

On the other hand, there is a difference which is also significant. Elijah displayed great power and John did not. Elijah received great recognition but John dwindled in significance because of the coming of one much greater than himself;.

In comparing behavior within two lifetimes we often find that a significant change indicates a correction of a past mistake and we note a large difference in how John and Elijah handled their enemies. When Elijah had enemies come before him he said: “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.” II Kings 1:10. This Elijah repeated three times with three different groups of soldiers which certainly put the fear of God into the Government of that time and saved Elijah from the martyr’s death.

On the other hand, John offered no resistance when they came to arrest him and suffered a martyr’s death similar to what would have happened to Elijah if he had followed the same course.

This may cause one to wonder if Elijah misused his power in calling fire from heaven and had to come back and suffer in humility to learn a lesson in restraint.

That Elijah set a bad example is verified by Jesus: “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, EVEN AS ELIAS (ELIJAH) DID? But he turned, and REBUKED THEM, and said, YE KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT YE ARE OF. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:54-55

Undoubtedly, the disciples were astonished at the Lord’s answer for they felt they were on safe ground by following the example of this great prophet, but they were deceived for all must remember the scripture: “Cursed is he who putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.” The apostles were relying on the example of a man (and black and white scripture) and not the whisperings of the Spirit.

Who can doubt that the scriptures condemn the act of calling down fire to destroy men’s lives. Convincing men by great signs is not the way of Christ, but the Anti-Christ as prophesied of in the Book of Revelations: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on earth in the sight of men.” Rev 13:13. It is ironic that it was John, the Beloved (not the Baptist) who was rebuked for desiring to see fire come down from heaven to prove that Jesus was the Christ. Ironically he also saw into the future when an Anti-Christ would arise who would use this same method.

Thus the scriptures indicate that Elijah made a mistake in using his power from God and had to come back and atone for it with a life of complete submission to the will of God.

At this point one may ask how Elijah is accounted as being such a great prophet if he made a grave mistake? One must keep in mind that Jesus was the first perfect man and even Moses displeased God in a similar fashion by misusing his power and was not allowed to enter Canaan. Despite their weaknesses, however, they were the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, and their memory was so great that there is a legend among the early Christians that these two men will return and battle the Anti-Christ in the last days. Indeed, they were favored enough to be the ones to work with Christ on the mount of transfiguration;

Another prophet who may have had numerous incarnations, or lives, was John the Revelator. Peter, in wondering of the future of this man, said: “And what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet JESUS SAID NOT UNTO HIM, he shall not die; but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” John 21:21-23.

Some people believe that John was translated so he would not suffer death, but John himself wrote that Jesus did not promise him that he would not die, but indicated that his will was that John should tarry until he would come. If, then, John did not have the promise of deathlessness the only way he could tarry here on the earth until the Lord comes is by a series of lives. Indeed, this is indicated in the prophesy that is written of him: “And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, THOU MUST PROPHESY AGAIN BEFORE MANY PEOPLES, AND NATIONS, AND TONGUES AND KINGS.” Rev. 10:10

Have we heard any announcement over the news lately that John the Revelator has prophesied to kings and is appearing in many different lands speaking in numerous languages? No, we have not, nor will we; for when he fulfills this prophesy he will not be known as John the Revelator, (unless such is revealed) but will be in a different identity having a new name.

Another interesting thing to point out here is that even appearances of Peter, James and John to Joseph and Oliver may be symbolic as indicated in the temples, by the appearance of Peter, James, and John to Adam. We are clearly told there that this is symbolic. In other words, three persons appeared to Adam representing the keys of the Priesthood, but were probably not the entities, Peter, James, and John. It is possible that these three men were on the earth as mortals, even at the time Joseph Smith received the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Oliver Cowdery was with Joseph when they were visited by John the Baptist and testified to that event with boldness, but here is all he had to say about the restoration of the Higher Priesthood:

“I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down from heaven and conferred on us, or restored, the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by THE HOLY ANGEL from on high. This Priesthood, we then conferred on each other by the will and commandment of God.” DHC Vol. 1 pg 40

Notice that Oliver’s words about this being who confirmed the higher priesthood. He calls this person, “the holy angel” not Peter James and John. Notice the word angel is singular. Perhaps this being who confirmed the higher Priesthood was the same as gave them the lower. Reread the above statement and you’ll see that it appears he is talking about the same angel. We are given no written record of the manner of this visitation.

What created the confusion is that the angel told them that he was acting under the same authority as was held by Peter, James and John from ancient times.

Joseph intuited a confirmation of this Priesthood by sensing the presence of the Apostle Peter, but even he was unaware at the time that he was communing with a memory and thoughtform of his past where Jesus told him (as Peter) in a past life the following:

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt 16:19

Joseph was given the same promise as was Peter because he was Peter. Here are two references.

D&C 64:5 “And the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom shall not be taken from my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., through the means I have appointed, while he liveth, inasmuch as he obeyeth mine ordinances.”

D&C 81:2 “Unto whom (speaking to Joseph) I have given the keys of the kingdom…”

Thus we see that which LDS members have been told about its history and the plan of Salvation may not square with what is written or the true reality as it makes itself manifest.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey

Eternal Lives, Chapter 15

Joseph Dewey
This entry is part 15 of 17 in the series Eternal Lives

Who Was Jesus?

The greatest mystery man of all time is, of course, Jesus himself. What is his history? There is not a lot of information in the scriptures about his past, but there is some.

One of the strongest hints of an ancient past is found in the gospel of John:
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” John 21:2

Now according to orthodox belief, the apostles only knew Jesus for three years and this was not enough association to even write a book. Each of the gospels that were written about him was only the length of a short story, not enough material for one book let alone books so numerous that they would fill the earth.

When did Jesus do all these thousands, perhaps millions of deeds so numerous that they would fill thousands of volumes??? There is no way that so many works could be done in a mere 33 years. Such a voluminous history would have to span many lifetimes.

Another hint of the Past of Jesus is given in this scripture: “And John saw and bore record of the fullness of my glory, and the fullness of John’s record is hereafter to be revealed. And he bore record saying: I saw his glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was. (In other words before the “age” was or before the days of Adam.) Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, EVEN THE MESSENGER OF’ SALVATION” D&C 93:6-8.

Thus we see that in the dawn of time here on the earth that Christ was one who was called the “messenger of Salvation.” It is quite obvious that he must have had many lives of service to become what he was when he appeared to the Jews and one or more was as a “messenger of salvation.”

The scripture continues: “And I, John, saw that he received not of the fullness at first, (In his first life), but received grace for grace; and he received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace, (life to life), until he received a fullness; And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fullness at first… I give you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, (That is he, the Christ, is a man like unto ourselves, but with more experience), that ye may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time (after sufficient incarnations) receive of his fullness… He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.” D&C 93:12-14,19,28.

The scriptures make it obvious that Jesus lived more than one short life of thirty-three years: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE yet without sin.” Heb 4:15. Before I accepted the doctrine of reincarnation I often wondered how Jesus could have been tempted in all points as I have been for I have often thought that I have been in many circumstances that he could not have been in. But if we consider reincarnation, we can see how this scripture is actually true, that during his long probation of lives he has been tempted in every way possible and came off victorious in his last life without sin.

This helps us understand another scripture: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb 2:18. Now we see that he is able to succor us because in his vast experience he has undergone every temptation imaginable. We see that “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb 5;9-10

Now we can apply a larger perspective to the interpretation of this scripture. Christ learned obedience by the things which be suffered in past lives. His suffering in his life as the Christ took place after he was already perfected, but he learned obedience by the things which he suffered in past lives which prepared him for a life as the Son of God. We are told that after he learned obedience by suffering that he was “made perfect” and “became the author of eternal salvation”. What does this mean, and what is perfection?

Perfection seems to mean different things to different people, and from a human standpoint it could be defined as the highest ideal of any individual. But since the highest ideal of each individual is somewhat different, then perfection would be different for almost everyone. For instance Jesus was by no means perfect in the eyes of the learned Pharisees and Scribes. They thought the perfect Messiah would idolize their law and traditions as they themselves did. The Christian world in the days of Joseph Smith thought he was far from perfect for they thought a prophet should be very pious. Of course, he did not live up to this standard and even many converts were disappointed when they met him. Joseph once said that if Jesus himself were with them they would find many faults with him.

Thus we come to a question. If perfection by human standards is the highest ideal of an individual, is there any such thing as real perfection? After all, no matter how high a person’s ideal is, there is yet another higher throughout all eternity. There is no limit to a person’s will-to-good. Unfortunately when something higher than a person’s ideal is presented, the individual cannot recognize it unless he elevates his thoughts. If he does not do this the person will stand in absolute blindness when faced with the greater reality, a blindness so great that nothing from without can penetrate it.

Therefore, the Jews were completely ignorant to the fact that Jesus represented a greater reality. They thought he was less than perfection and presented a threat to their perfection; thus they sought to destroy him. Would this mean that there is a greater reality than Christ? Yes, and he admitted it for he said: “My Father is greater than I am.” John 14:28 Jesus was able to recognize one greater than himself, but the Jews could not and this was why they were condemned. They saw perfection as only their highest ideal and could not accept the fact that there was nothing higher and were called “the blind that lead the blind and both shall fall in the ditch”. The first step toward eternal progression is to remove this blindness and always be “opened” to the possibility that there may be somewhere out there a greater reality than we have ever before imagined. Many who read these words now will be amazed a few years down the road at all of the greater realities they will discover.

Taking the above logic into consideration we may safely conclude that perfection as it is understood by humanity is an illusion and does not really exist, for there is no ultimate in achievement. Even as far as Christ is concerned, he is just a junior achiever in relation to his Father, and his Father is a mere junior executive in comparison to the Gods above him for his Father’s main responsibility is this planet whereas other’s govern solar systems and galaxies and have a consciousness above anything that can be imagined even by Christ himself.

If this is so then what is meant by the scripture which tells us that he was “made perfect?” To understand this we must examine the Greek. The words “made perfect” are translated from the Greek word TELEIOO which really has little to do with perfection as we understand it. As a matter of fact there is no Greek or Hebrew equivalent for the English word perfection as it is applied to deity for they had enough common sense to realize that such a word was meaningless. The word TELEIOO is more appropriately translated as “finish, fulfill, or consummate” and in the text of this scripture it implies “To accomplish an assigned mission” Jesus himself used this word in a similar context when he said: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish (From the Greek TELEIOO) his work.” John 4:34. Paul also said: “Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish (TELEIOO) my course with joy.” Acts 20:24.

Thus we see that after the Christ had finished his assigned task that he became the author of “eternal salvation”. These are another interesting pair of words for neither one of them mean what they seem. “Eternal” comes from the Greek AIONIOS which can mean one of three things: (1) Something which can last for an age or a long period of time. (2) Having an ageless quality or (3) At the end of an age. One has to look at the content to see how the word was intended to be used and the key is given in the word salvation which comes from the word SOTERIA which is more correctly rendered “deliverance” or “rescue”. An equivalent Hebrew word is used in Joel: “And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. and it shall come to pass, that WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE DELIVERED (saved): for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” Joel 2:30-32 Here we see that this word is used to indicate a deliverance at the end of the age rather than a spiritual atonement. We see that the righteous will be “saved” from the calamities which will come upon the world.

Taking this into consideration let us retranslate the scripture in question which reads: “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him.” It could be more correctly rendered: “And completing the work which was expected of him he made possible our deliverance at the end of the age.” In other words the work of the Christ made possible and paved the way for our deliverance at this time thousands of years later. This deliverance could be multiform. It could be a deliverance from physical calamities, but could also imply a deliverance from our lower nature as the teachings of Christ finally sink into our consciousness at the end of the old and the beginning of the new age.

Copyright 1996 by J J Dewey