Priesthood

Priesthood: “ The Power of Godliness”

The priesthood is an eternal power, meaning, it has always and will always be. It is the power and authority of God, who is an eternal being.

It was by this power that God created and governs the heavens and the earth. It is by this power that He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass the ‘immortality and eternal life of man.’ ( Moses 1:39)

God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth.

The first of God’s children to receive the priesthood here on this earth was Adam. Using the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis and a revelation to the Prophet as sources ( D&C84:1-17), William W. Phelps wrote, “Adam was the first member of the church of Christ on earth, and the first High Priest after the Order of the Son of God. Adam was ordained unto the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God, to preach repentance unto his seed, and teach them the things of the kingdom. From this time till Enoch, from Enoch till Noah, and from Noah till Melchizedek, and Abraham, and from Abraham till Moses, the Order of the High Priesthood, on earth, continued.”

The higher priesthood was taken away from the children of Israel because of disobedience, when Moses was removed from their midst. After the time of Moses, individual prophets were given the holy priesthood at various times by God, but it was restricted from the general populace.

The Book of Mormon reports that Nephite prophets held the priesthood called after the order of the Son of God, the Melchizedek Priesthood (Alma 13:10). Those who had the authority directed the work of God among the people (Alma 29:13

Jesus Christ and his apostles also held the Melchizidek priesthood while on the earth. After Christ’s death, the apostles continued to ordain worthy individuals to the priesthood. However, Over time, both the principles and the priesthood authority and keys were lost through apostasy.

Then, on the 15 May 1829, after inquiring of the Lord regarding the authority to baptize, John the Baptist appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood.

Aaronic Priesthood: 15 May 1829 (D&C 13)
the priesthood authority by which John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
It holds "the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins"
The Aaronic Priesthood is "an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood" (D&C 107:14). It is often called the preparatory priesthood. As a priesthood holder serves in the Aaronic Priesthood, he prepares to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, to receive the blessings of the temple, to serve a full-time mission, to be a loving husband and father, and to continue in lifelong service to the Lord.



Melchizedek Priesthood: May or June 1829 (D&C 128:20)
All other authorities or offices in the church are appendages to this priesthood....
"The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things....
"The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—
"To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."

Apostles, elders, priests, teachers, and deacons: April 1830 (D&C 20:38–60)
· This revelation was given just prior to the organization of the church. At that organizational meeting, Joseph ordained Oliver to the office of an elder, Oliver did the same for Joseph.

Bishop: 4 February 1831 (D&C 41:9–10)
· Joseph received a revelation that Edward Partridge was to be the first Bishop of the church. He was made responsible for operating a storehouse to assist the poor and for administering property transactions connected with the law of consecration.
· In December 1831, Newel K. Whitney was called to be a bishop.
Bishop Partridge and Bishop Whitney served as regional or traveling bishops. Bishop Partridge was responsible for the Saints in Missouri and Bishop Whitney the Saints in Ohio and the eastern states.
In November 1831, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that the bishop was to be the president of the Aaronic Priesthood and preside over a quorum of 48 priests (see D&C 107).
It was not until 1841 in Nauvoo that the office of ward bishops began with Newel K. Whitney and George Miller each presiding over a ward. That number grew to thirteen wards by 1842. "Their main tasks were to process tithes and to assist newcomers and aid the poor, which they accomplished with donated fast offerings. Bishops also carried a major responsibility for dealing with ward members in cases of wrongdoing. However, bishops rarely conducted Sunday worship meetings; such services were held outdoors on a citywide or stake basis or in individual homes. Nauvoo bishops collectively organized and directed the work of deacons, teachers, and priests quorums in the city." (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p119)
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High priests: June 1831 (heading to D&C 52)
In a conference held in June 1831, the first ordinations to the office of high priest were made.
Twenty-three men were ordained as high priests at this conference, including Joseph Smith.

First Presidency: 1832–33 (D&C 81; 90)
Jesse Gause and Sidney Rigdon were called to be counselors to Joseph Smith. Gause only served until December 1832. He was excommunicated for being unfaithful. Frederick G. Williams was ordained to replace Gause in March 1833.
Additional information on this quorum was revealed to the Prophet in 1835: "Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body [Quorum of the Twelve], appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church" (D&C 107:22).
"The Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right to officiate in all the offices in the church." (D&C 107:9)
After the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, the First Presidency was not reorganized until 1847. The Quorum of the Twelve presided over the Church during this period. In 1847, the First Presidency was reorganized with Brigham Young as president. After the death of Brigham Young and his successor, John Taylor, the First Presidency remained unorganized for up to three years.
When Wilford Woodruff became the president, he instructed Lorenzo Snow (president of the Quorum of the Twelve) that it was the will of the Lord to have the First Presidency reorganized shortly after the death of the President.
Lorenzo Snow followed this counsel and the First Presidency was reorganized eleven days after the death of President Woodruff. That pattern has been followed ever since.

Patriarch: 18 December 1833 (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith [1976], 38–39)
On December 18, 1833, in Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith, Sr., was ordained the first Patriarch to the Church.
Additional information was revealed on this important office in 1835 (see D&C 107:39-56).
After Joseph Sr.'s death, Hyrum, was ordained to this office since he was the oldest son. Hyrum served until his martyrdom in 1844.
From the time of Joseph Sr. until 1979 the Church patriarch was in the Smith hereditary line, except for a ten year period from 1932 to 1942, when acting patriarchs were called.
In 1979, the position of Church patriarch was retired due to the number of stake patriarchs available throughout the world.

High council: 17 February 1834 (D&C 102)
On February 17, 1834, the first High Council of the Church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio. D&C 102 contains the minutes of that meeting. This first high council included the First Presidency and had jurisdiction over the whole Church.
Later that year a separate high council was organized in Missouri. Appeals went from the Missouri high council to the presiding high council in Kirtland.
Following the organization in 1835 of the "traveling high council," the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, stake high councils concerned themselves only with stake matters

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: 1835 (D&C 107:23–24)
· In Section 18, given in 1829, the Three Witnesses were appointed the duty of selecting the first apostles. The time had come for this to be done. They called the Twelve in the following order (see Essentials in Church History, p152):

Lyman E. Johnson.
Brigham Young.
Heber C. Kimball.
Orson Hyde.
David W. Patten.
Luke S. Johnson.
William E. McLellin.
John F. Boynton.
Orson Pratt.
William Smith.
Thomas B. Marsh.
Parley P. Pratt.
· These twelve men were ordained apostles by the Three Witnesses and given the keys pertaining to their holy calling. The First Presidency also laid their hands on them and confirmed these blessings and ordinations.
The majority of the Twelve were chosen from among those who were part of Zion's Camp.
This first Quorum of the Twelve had been selected and ordained. Seniority in the original quorum was organized by age. Thomas B. Marsh, being the oldest, 35, was made President of the Quorum. Since the original organization of the quorum, seniority has been determined by the date of appointment to the Twelve.
Seventies: 1835 (D&C 107:25)
In February 1835, when Brigham and Joseph Young visited the Prophet, Joseph Young was told: "Brother Joseph, the Lord has made you President of the Seventies."
On February 28, Seventies were selected from among the participants in Zion's Camp.

First Quorum of the Seventy: 1835 (D&C 107:26, 93–97)
The first quorum's of Seventy were organized during this period.
During the Nauvoo period, the number of Seventies expanded.
The sixty-three members of the First Quorum, not members of the presidency, were made the presidencies of the next nine quorums.
The first seven presidents of the First Quorum were made General Authorities and designated First Council of Seventy.
By the time of the exodus from Nauvoo, there were 35 quorums of Seventy.


In our day the Lord continues to give revelations about the organization and responsibilities of the priesthood to guide the growth of the Church. One example of this is the calling of Area Authority Seventies and the accompanying organization of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy in 1997

In the church today, worthy young men are eligible to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood at age 12. They are taught the responsibilities, privileges and authority they have, if they live worthy of that Priesthood, every Sunday in their Priesthood quorums. This education is a gradual process, that if taken full advantage of, will give young men the power they need to thwart Satan’s advances during an age in which He strongly concentrates His efforts.

When a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he does so by oath and covenant. Why is it necessary? Because of its sacred nature and authority possessing binding and sealing powers into the eternities. Those who receive it must, like God, abide in it, for they share and enjoy with Him the right of His authority and power; therefore, they must not permit themselves to be moved out of the right way nor to fail.

This oath and covenant is found in D&C 84:33-44

Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Seventy said: “Of all the holy agreements pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ, few, if any, would transcend in importance the oath and covenant of the priesthood. It is certainly one of the most sacred agreements, for it involves the sharing of heavenly powers and man’s upward reaching toward eternal goals” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 56; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 43).

D&C 84:33-44
33 For whoso is afaithful unto the obtaining these two bpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the cmagnifying their calling, are dsanctified by the Spirit unto the erenewing of their bodies.
34 They become the asons of Moses and of Aaron and the bseed of cAbraham, and the church and kingdom, and the delect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood areceive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants areceiveth me;
37 And he that areceiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s akingdom; therefore ball that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the aoath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the apriesthood, receive this boath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this acovenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall bnot have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels acharge concerning you.
43 And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give adiligent bheed to the words of eternal life.
44 For you shall alive by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

What do priesthood holders promise as part of the oath and covenant of the priesthood?

a. Be faithful in obtaining the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood
· Faithfulness denotes obedience to the laws of God and connotes true observance of ALL gospel standards- not just ones that are convenient, or the ones that we like, or the easy ones, but ALL gospel standards. To wield the power of God, one must live as God lives.

b. Magnify their callings (verse 33).
· to magnify is to honor, to exalt and glorify, and cause to be held in greater esteem or respect. It also means to increase the importance of, to enlarge and make greater. To magnify his calling, a priesthood holder must be willing to sacrifice and consecrate all for the building of God’s kingdom in righteousness, truth and power in the earth.
( Delbert Stapley CR, April 1957 pp.76-77)
· As we magnify our callings, it is important that we find the correct balance so we do not neglect our families. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve said:
“Sometimes, unintentionally, even certain extracurricular Church activities, insensitively administered, can hamper family life. Instructively, after the resurrected Jesus taught the Nephites, He said, ‘Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said,’ and pray and prepare ‘for the morrow’ (3 Nephi 17:3). Jesus did not say go to your civic clubs, town meetings, or even stake centers!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 120; or Ensign, May 1994, 89).

c. Receive the Lord’s servants (verse 36).
· Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord will reveal his secrets unto his servants, the prophets.
· As we read the words of prophets past in the holy scriptures, and listen to the words of living prophets with a spirit of humility, the spirit testifies of their truth. When we receive the words of the prophets, we receive the words of the Lord himself.


d. Give diligent heed to the words of eternal life (verses 43–44).
In Moroni 7:19, Mormon describes two steps along the path of life that, if taken, will transform a person into a spiritually begotten son or daughter of Christ. The first is to “search diligently in the light of Christ” so that good may be distinguished from evil. The second is to “lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not.” Earlier in the chapter, Mormon notes that every woman and man receives the Light of Christ as a gift to differentiate right from wrong. A more common name for this light is conscience, a discerning power by which individuals know good from evil (see Moro. 7:15–17).

Mormon’s first step of searching diligently describes the quest for truth, for the good. His second step, to “lay hold upon every good thing,” means to live every good truth once it is found. In both the searching and the living, diligence is required In the Lord’s plan, diligent effort involves both the heart and the mind. Diligently seeking truth and living gospel principles with all one’s mind and heart open the door for the Holy Spirit to transform us. We put off the natural man or woman because of the truths we value. With a humble heart, we yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,” partake of the Atonement, and become “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters” as we are spiritually reborn (Merrill J. Bateman, “Becoming a Disciple of Christ,” Ensign, Apr 2006, 16–23)
Among the adversary’s pawns was Hitler, whose evil designs wreaked havoc on the entire world. Winston Churchill attempted to warn fellow Brittishers about this madman. But Churchill was initially labeled a warmonger. While England slept, Hitler amassed a huge army and began to put his diabolical scheme in motion. The young Gordon B. Hinckley was serving a mission in England at the time and heard Churchill’s speeches of warning. Upon his release and before returning home, Elder Hinckley toured the European continent. Throughout Germany he watched spit and polished Nazi troops goose step through the streets. He noticed a dramatic difference in other countries where troups were undisciplined in demeaner and dress. He later reflected, “ Hitler had clearly identified his object and he knew what he was doing. The rest of Europe was asleep. I sensed I had a front row seat on the bleachers of history.” Brothers and sisters, WE have a front row seat on the bleachers of an era where Satan is moving about largely uncontrolled and unchecked. As brutal as Hitler was, our opponent is far more threatening. For what we have to lose is our happiness and peace of mind here and in the world to come. Satan knows exactly what he is doing. Do we? Are we sleeping or are we diligently laying hold upon every good thing in order to create places of security where we may protect ourselves from his advances.?


What does the Lord promise?

a. Sanctify us by the Spirit (verse 33).
To be sanctified means to become pure, holy, clean
Speaking of certain priesthood brethren in ancient times, Alma said:

“Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

“Now, they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 13:11–12).




b. Renew our bodies (verse 33).
A perfect example of this is the remarkable energy and physical stamina of aged prophets. Who among us, when listening to Pres. Hinckley address the church, well into his 90s did not stand in awe of his abilities?

c. Give us the blessings promised to Abraham and his posterity (verse 34).
Among the promises made to Abraham were:
a. His posterity would be numerous (see Genesis 17:5–6; Abraham 2:9; 3:14).
b. His seed, or descendants, would receive the gospel and bear the priesthood (see Abraham 2:9).
c. Through the ministry of his seed, "all the families of the earth [would] be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal" (Abraham 2:11).

d. Make us His elect, or chosen (verse 34).
The elect are those that hear His voice and harden not their hearts, do not aspire to the honors of men and do not set their hearts upon the things of this world.

e. Give us all that the Father has (verse 38).
· What is it that the Father has? Kingdoms, thrones, principalities, powers, dominions, and exaltations.
f. Give His angels charge over us (verse 42).
· George Q. Cannon, “Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are children of God and that He has actually given His angels … charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.” (Gospel Truths, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, 1:2.)



The blessings of the priesthood are not solely for men. The Lord’s plan assures that all the Lord has is available to ALL who qualify. It is only by joining together as man and woman that the highest of priesthood blessings become available to both.


Sherri Dew
“We know little about the reasons specific assignments were given to men and women. Because of this the adversary seeks to create confusion about something that need not be confusing. What we do know is that the Lord has declared His will on the matter. And for reasons known only to Him, our assignment as sisters do not require that we be ordained to the priesthood, though the assignments of worthy men do require ordination. This difference between the stewardship of the sons and daughters of God need not concern us. We should feel secure about the manner in which the Lord administers His kingdom.” ( Famous Last Words, BYU Women’s Conference, 30 April 1999)




Boyd K. Packer

Men and women have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But in the woman’s part, she is not just equal to man; she is superior! She can do that which he can never do; not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone.

And blessings bestowed impartially upon man and woman alike include:

—Baptism;

—The gift of the Holy Ghost;

—The testimony of Jesus;

—Personal revelation;

—The ministry of angels;

—The responsibility to teach, to testify, to exhort, to edify and to comfort;

—The faith to be healed;

—And many other spiritual gifts.

All under a uniform standard for worthiness.

And the highest ordinances in the House of the Lord they receive together and equally or not at all!

It should not disturb either men or women that some responsibilities are bestowed upon one and not the other. Duties of the priesthood are delegated to men and are patriarchal, which means “of the father.” From the very beginning this has been so. The scriptures plainly state that they were “confirmed to be handed down from father to son. … This order was instituted in the days of Adam.” (D&C 107:40–41.)

It was not meant that the woman alone accommodate herself to the priesthood duties of her husband or her sons. She is of course to sustain and support and encourage them.

Holders of the priesthood, in turn, must accommodate themselves to the needs and responsibilities of the wife and mother. Her physical and emotional and intellectual and cultural well-being and her spiritual development must stand first among his priesthood duties.

There is no task, however menial, connected with the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the home that is not his equal obligation. The tasks which come with parenthood, which many consider to be below other tasks, are simply above them.

Sister Packer and I have seven sons and three daughters. And that, I have often been heard to say, is about equal value. They, in turn, have given us daughters- and sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

They are not my children and my grandchildren. They are our children and grandchildren. They all share in the blessings of the priesthood.

I could not possibly express the depth and the intensity of love and gratitude that I feel toward my wife, the mother of our children.

Without her, I could not have the highest and most enduring blessings of this “priesthood … after the holiest order of God” (D&C 84:18), this “Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (D&C 107:3). For, “in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.” (D&C 131:104.) Boyd K. Packer, “A Tribute to Women,” Ensign, Jul 1989, 72

Sherri Dew
“ Within the priesthood is the power to separate and safeguard us from the world, the power to subdue the adversary and surmount obstacles. The power to comfort, bless and heal. The power to enlarge our capacity and enable us to hear the voice of the Lord. The power to strengthen marriages and families and bind us together . The power to triumph over mortality and come unto Him. These blessings may be received by every seeking, worthy son or daughter of God.”

Together, we can receive the privileges and unspeakable blessings associated with the gift of priesthood power. For it is through this power that we are shown the path to eternal life.

Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come

Looking Forth for the Great Day of the Lord to Come


To clarify a point from last weeks lesson:
I made a statement based on D&C 76:32-39 that sons of perdition will not be resurrected. That is a false statement. All of God’s children born upon this earth will be resurrected.

Sons of perdition will have no power over the second (or spiritual death) . they are doomed to suffer the wrath of God with the devil and his angels in eternity.

They will have to spend the thousand years of the millennium in the prison house prepared for them and remain unresurrected until the afternoon of the second resurrection.

1. The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory.

Ever since the plan of salvation was presented to our Father in Heaven’s children, we have known that Jehovah would be our savior. His roles have been, are, and will be many; among them:

The firstborn of the Father
Advocate of the Father’s plan
The creator of this and countless other worlds
The God of the Old Testament, of Abrahm, Isaac and Jacob
The Savior of the World, who was born of a mortal mother, grew in wisdom and strength in a mortal body, preached the gospel to those who would give ear, atoned for our sins, and was crucified ending his mortal existence.
Teacher of the gospel to the spirits in prison
The Resurrected Savior who showed himself in the flesh to those In Jerusalem, and in the New world
Restored the gospel to the earth once again, in 1820 when He, along with the Father, appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in a grove of trees in Palmyra, NY.
Continually reveals his secrets unto his servants, the latter-day prophets to guide and direct His church today
When all the prophecies have been fulfilled, and when the gospel has been preached to all nations, He will come again, with power and great glory, to gather the righteous and destroy the wicked and usher in a millenium of peace where He will rule and reign personally upon the earth.
As members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, we are privileged to have additional revelation regarding the second coming of the Savior. The Doctrine and Covenants is where many of these revelations have been recorded for our benefit.

A. When will He come?

We do not know the exact date or time He will come, but, we know that we are close.
When the angel moroni appeared to Joseph on the night of Sept. 21, 1823, He revealed to Joseph the existence of an ancient record which Joseph would later be given and translate at a later time.

The major part, however, of the message Moroni gave to Joseph that night was a recitation of many biblical prophecies, all prophesying of the second coming of the Lord. One which we are very familiar is that of the 3 and 4th chapters of Malachi:
JSH 1:36-39

36 After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of aMalachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus:
37 For behold, the aday cometh that shall bburn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as cstubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
38 And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the aPriesthood, by the hand of bElijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the cLord.
39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the achildren the bpromises 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.

The theme of the last days and the Second Coming have been an integral part of the restoration from the very beginning. We have seen many prophesied events already take place and await the fulfillment of the ones remaining.

The doctrine of the Second Coming was so important that, in the first 7 years of the church’s organization, the Lord declared, “ I come quickly!” ( D&C 112:34) twelve times and the time of His coming was “soon at hand” ( D&C 29:9).

Let’s read through some of these verses:
D&C34:7,12
7 For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the atime is soon at hand that I shall bcome in a ccloud with power and great glory
12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come aquickly. I am your bLord and your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.
D&C110:16
16 Therefore, the akeys of this bdispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful cday of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
D&C 49:6-7
6 And they have done unto the aSon of Man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the bright hand of his cglory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies dunder his feet, which time is nigh at hand—
7 I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the aday no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes
What is the point of not knowing when He will come again?
Bruce R. McConkie
“Deliberately and advisedly the actual time of his coming has been left uncertain and unspecified, so that men of each succeeding age shall be led to prepare for it as though it would be in their mortal lives.” (DNTC 1:675)

Gordon B. Hinckley
“ Certainly there is no point in speculating concerning the day and the hour. Let us rather live each day so that if the Lord does come while we are yet upon the earth we shall be worthy of that change which will occur as in the twinkling of an eye and under which we shall be changed from mortal to immortal beings..We need not fear the day of his coming; the very purpose of the Church is to provide the incentive and the opportunity for us to conduct our lives in such a way that those who are members of the kingdom of God will become members of the kingdom of heaven when he establishes that kingdom on the earth.” ( We Need Not Fear at his Coming.” 1979 Devotional Speeches of the Year, Provo: Brigham Young University Press, p. 83).

We Must Prepare for the Second Coming

If we are prepared, then, we need not fear. How do we prepare?

D&C133:4-10
4 Wherefore, prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people; sanctify yourselves; gather ye together, O ye people of my church, upon the land of Zion, all you that have not been commanded to atarry.
5 Go ye out from aBabylon. Be ye bclean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
6 Call your asolemn assemblies, and bspeak often one to another. And let every man call upon the name of the Lord.
7 Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; agather ye out from among the nations, from the bfour winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
8 Send forth the elders of my church unto the anations which are afar off; unto the bislands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the cGentiles, and then upon the Jews.
9 And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her astakes may be strengthened, and that bZion may go forth unto the regions round about.
10 Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the aBridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the bgreat day of the Lord.

We are given very specific ways to prepare here
a. sanctify yourselves (consecrate ourselves)
· Be steadfast in righteousness D&C 27:15;
· .Be repentant. D&C 34:6; 39:19–20; 43:20–23.
· Have the Holy Spirit as your guide D&C 45:56–57.
b. gather together
· Stand in holy places D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22–23. (Stand in holy places.) What does it mean to “stand in holy places”? What are some of these holy places? (They could include our temples, our chapels, our homes, and the stakes of Zion.) What can we do to keep ourselves worthy and holy even when we are in worldly environments?

c. be ye clean
· Be clean in body. Be clean in mind. Be clean in language. Be clean in dress and manner
d. call your solemn assemblies
· solemn assemblies are held to enhance the Saints’ spirituality and to give added emphasis to the importance of the assembly’s purpose
· Some solemn assemblies are held in temples, some in the Tabernacle, and others in stake centers. Whatever the purpose or location of the assembly, the sacredness of the event is paramount.
e. speak often one to another
· We are our brother/sister’s keeper. When we keep in close contact, we are more aware of one another’s needs and are more personally committed to help.
f. let every man call upon the name of the Lord (prayer)
· what power is there in prayer? It can change the night to day.
g. send forth elders to all nations
· in Dec. 2008, there were over 52,000 full time missionaries serving in 348 missions all around the world
h. strengthen the stakes of Zion
· Develop personal spiritual strength, influence our families and friends to do the same, serve our member and nonmember neighbors, and accept calls from priesthood leaders to serve in the Church.
Many times when we think of preparing for the second coming, our minds turn to spreading the gospel to all nations. Although this is a worthy cause and one the Lord would have us do, please notice it is only one of many things we need to be doing.
Why are you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? Is it because you have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His eternal mission? Is it because you believe that this is the same gospel He has always taught throughout all ages? If so, then you are every day preparing for his assured return. The church, as an organization, gives you all the tools you require to abide the day when he comes again.


Gordon B. Hinckley
“We need not fear the day of his coming; the very purpose of the Church is to provide the incentive and the opportunity for us to conduct our lives in such a way that those who are members of the kingdom of God will become members of the kingdom of heaven when he establishes that kingdom on the earth.” ( We Need Not Fear at his Coming.” 1979 Devotional Speeches of the Year, Provo: Brigham Young University Press, p. 83).

Take advantage of all the church has to offer. Build a strong testimony, a strong family, a strong ward, and a strong stake . Build Zion where you stand.

President John Taylor
“And Zion that is on the earth will rise, and the Zion above will descend, as we are told, and we will meet and fall on each other’s necks and embrace and kiss each other.” (JD 2:103)
THAT , brothers and sisters, is why you are here, in Lazona Ward, in Mesa, Arizona, in the US at this very time in eternity.

Watch for the signs of the Savior’s coming

As we prepare, we also need to be watchful. The Lord has revealed many signs that will proceed his second coming:
Already fulfilled:
o The fulness of the gospel will be restored D&C 45:9; 133:57–58.
o God’s kingdom will be established on the earth.) D&C 65:2–6.
o Priesthood keys will be restored.) D&C 110:11–16.
o The gospel will be preached throughout the world.) D&C 133:8–9, 36–39

Currently being fulfilled:
a. The gospel will be preached throughout the world.) D&C 133:8–9, 36–39
o There will be great weeping, despair, and fear. Men’s hearts will fail them.) D&C 29:15; 88:91
* “The commotion and tribulations of the last days surely lead to fear, anxiety and panic. Adverse economic conditions cause people to fear losing their jobs and consequently their ability to provide food and shelter forthemselves and those who depend upon them. Raging violence causes many to fear for their personal safety. Dim prospects for the future create discouragement and dispair.” (Behold I come Quickly, Brewster, Hoyt, p.173)
o There will be famines, scourges, sickness, and desolation.) D&C 29:16; 45:31; 112:24
o There will be wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth will be in commotion.) D&C 45:26; 63:33.
* There are currently 7 ongoing wars throughout the world which each result in more than 1000 deaths annually.
o The love of men will become cold, and iniquity will abound.) D&C 45:27.
*Today’s society has turned from worshipping Deity to worshipping the things of this world: Material possessions, power, prestige, and pleasures. The self-centered approach to life is epitomized in the selfish slogan, “ Look out for number one.” Society is presently plagued with increasing evidences of love waxing cold: rudeness, divorce, lawsuits, abuse, rape, beatings, gang violence, murder, theft, vandalism, freeway and drive by shootings. In general there has been a turning away from love, courtesy and consideration for others. (Behold I come Quickly, Brewster, Hoyt, p.

There will be earthquakes, tempests, and great waves of the sea. Men will harden their hearts against God and fight each other.) D&C 45:33; 88:89–90.

Yet to be fulfilled:
a. The New Jerusalem will be built. It will be a place of peace and safety for the righteous in the last days. D&C 45:66–71
o Where will the New Jerusalem be built?
a. Articles of Faith 10
10 We believe in the literal agathering of Israel and in the restoration of the bTen Tribes; that cZion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will dreign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be erenewed and receive its fparadisiacal gglory.
b. the building of a temple in the New Jerusalem
D&C57:2-3
2 Wherefore, this is the aland of promise, and the bplace for the city of cZion.
3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the acenter place; and a spot for the btemple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse
c. the building of a temple in Old Jerusalem
Orson Pratt: “ The Temple at Jerusalem will undoubtedly be built, by those who believe in the true Messiah. It’s construction will be, in some respects different from the Temples now being built. It will contain the throne of the Lord , upon which he will at times, personally sit, and will reign over the house of Israel for ever. It may also contain twelve other thrones, on which the twelve ancient Apostles will sit, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. It will, very likely, have an apartment, with a table, on which food and drink will be prepared, such as are suitable to the taste and happiness of immortal resurrected beings, thus fulfilling the words of Jesus- “Ye that have followed me in the regeneration [resurrection] shall eat and drink at my table and sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Matthew 19:28] (JD 19:20; italics added)

d. the full return of Judah to Israel
Bruce R. McConkie: “ Portions of Jewish Israel hold forth in various nations or have gathered in a political sense to the land of their fathers. This gathering, however, is simply one that puts persons of the proper lineage in the same geographi local where their ancestors dwelt; it is not the true gathering of Israel of which the prophets speak.. It may be prelude therto,. the gathering of Israel consists in believing and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen people..” (NWAF pp. 511,515,519)
e. the gospel preached in all the world
f. the return of the lost tribes
g. the gathering of prophets at Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri
Joseph Fielding Smith: “At this gathering Adam, the Ancient of Days, will again be present..[he] will sit. There will stand before him those who have held the keys of all dispensations, who shall render up their stewardships to the first Patriearch of the race, who holds the keys of salvation.. then he will make his report.. to his superior officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reins of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. (WP, pp. 289-91).
h. The raising up of two great prophets to minister in Israel
Bruce R. McConkie: These two shall be followers of that humble man, Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fullness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council fo the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church. Their prophetic ministry to rebellious Jewry shall be the same in legth as was our Lord’s personal ministry among their rebellious forebears.” (DNTC 3:509-10
At the end of their designated ministry-“when they shall have finished their testimony,” the Revelator tells us- “the beast ..shall overcome them, and kill them.” For three and one-half days, their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem while the wicked of the world “shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.” (Rev. 11:7-10)
Jerusalem, at this time, will be overrun and ravished by the wicked.. and just when it seems that they have won the battle, the two slain prophets raise to their feet, a great fear falls upon those who see. They hear a great voice from heaven saying unot them, Come up hither, and they ascend to heaven in a cloud. In the same hour, an great earthquake levels 1/10 of the city, 7000 are slain. The remainder are frightened and give glory to the God of heaven. (Rev 11:11-13)

i. The Battle of Armageddon
Bruce R. McConkie taught that Armageddon would be “a religious war. The forces of antichrist are seeking to destroy freedom and liverty and right; they seek to deny men the right to worship the Lord; they are the enemies of God. The one-third who remain in the land of Israel [see Zech 13:8-9] are the Lord’s people. They believe in Christ and accept Joseph Smith as his prophet and revealer for the last days. (MM, pp. 465-66).
j. There will be signs and wonders in the heavens and in the earth.) D&C 34:9; 45:40–42; 88:87.
o The sun darkened, moon turned to blood, stars fall from the heavens, and many other wonders and signs.
The Lord counseled us to “be not troubled”during the turmoil of the last days (D&C 45:35). How can we maintain hope and avoid feeling distressed when we are surrounded by the wickedness and turmoil of the last days? (See D&C 38:30


When He Comes Again

· Christ will come to earth in power and glory. a. D&C 29:9–11; 45:44.
· All nations will tremble when He comes. D&C 34:8, 11; 63:34.
· The Savior will put all enemies under his feet D&C 49:6.
· He will come in red apparel- signifying a time of vengeance upon the wicked D&C 133:46–53.
o When the Lord Jesus Comes again, it will be not as the Prince of Peace, not as the Suffering Servant, not as one who descends below all things, but as the Man of War and the God of Battles who will wage war and overthrow kingdoms and spread destruction as he did when Joshua and Gideon and David led his people anciently. The Millennial era will not be ushered in by the righteousness of the people. Christ will come in the midst of war such as has never been known before in the whole history of the world. All the nations of the earth will be engaged. Those who oppose freedom and liberty and Christianity and the Jews will attack Jerusalem. The focal point will be the ancient battlegrounds of Megiddo and Armageddon. In the midst of this war, ‘this same Jesus’ who ascended from Olivet ‘shall so come in like manner’ as he went up into heaven. (Acts 1:11). His feet shall once again stand upon the Mount of Olives. And in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is between Jerusalem and Olivet, he shall sit to judge the heathen nations. (NWAF, p. 637)
· He will come to the Mount of Olives, a great earthquake will cause the mount to divide and shake the entire earth. John the Revelator tells us that “cities of the nations” of the world will fall as a result of this great quake and that islands will flee and mountains would disappear. (Revelation 16:18,20). The earth begins the physical changes needed to transform into it’s terrestrial state.
· 144,00 will Stand with Him D&C 133:18
o Joseph Smith, “ saviors on Mount Zion” who will be accompanied by “an innumerable host that no man can number.” (HC, 6:365)
*The Wicked will be destroyed D&C 88:22-23
o Those of a telestial nature will be swept from the face of the earth, and only those capable of living celestial and terrestrial lives will remain.
*The Saints who have died will be resurrected and come forth to meet the Savior
* The worthy saints among the living are “quickened and..caught up to meet him.”
· Not only the Jews, but those in all nations shall weep because of their unbelief and wickedness. The Jews will recognize Jesus as the Savior. The more righteous of the people will repent and be baptized, cleansing them of their sin and uncleanness (Zech 13:1)
· Those who have received the gospel in spirit prison will be resurrected.
The Millennium will be a time of joy and peace.
The Savior’s Second Coming will usher in the thousand-year period called the Millennium.
What will life on earth be like during the Millennium?
o Everyone will be able to see the Savior D&C 101:23.
o All the wicked will have been destroyed D&C 101:24
o The earth will become new. D&C 101:25.
§ It will return to it’s paradisiacal glory-back to the condition in which it was before it was cursed through the fall of Adam.
o People and animals will live in peace. D&C 101:26.
o People will be granted what they righteously desire. D&C 101:27.
o Satan will be bound and will have no power to tempt anyone D&C 101:28; see also D&C 45:55; 88:110.
o There will be no sorrow or death. D&C 101:29.
o A person will grow old, then be changed suddenly from mortal to immortal. D&C 101:30–31.
o The Lord will reveal all things about the earth and heaven, including how the earth was created and what will become of it. D&C 101:32–34.
o Children will grow up without sin. D&C 45:58.
o The Lord will be the king and lawgiver for the whole earth. D&C 45:59; 133:25.

Conclusion
The Lord has revealed more information about the Second Coming and the Millennium to us than to any other group in the history of the world. With this information, we can be prepared and steadfast in righteousness as His prophecies are being fulfilled all around us. We should look forward with joy to the time when the Savior will return and usher in the millennial reign of peace and righteousness.

The Law of Tithing and the Law of the Fast

The Law of Tithing and the Law of the Fast

Historical Background
§ As discussed in Lesson 14, the law of consecration had been given to the Saints during the early Kirtland period. Many Saints broke this law and brought upon their heads, and the heads of their brethren and sisters, dire punishment and persecution. This celestial law was withdrawn for the time, or until the time of the redemption of Zion.
§ After the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society, many members became embittered towards the Prophet. In early 1838 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon left for Far West, Missouri. The Kirtland era of the Church was closing and the Saints were now gathering to northern Missouri.
§ On May 15, 1838, the Prophet in company with several of the brethren left Far West to explore the area northward with the intention of preparing boundaries for stakes of Zion.
§ During this trip they came to a place called Spring Hill which the Lord revealed to the Prophet as Adam-ondi-Ahman, the place where Adam shall come to visit his people in the latter days.
§ On June 16, 1838, back in Far West, steps were taken to organize a stake in Daviess County to be known as the Adam-ondi-Ahman Stake.
§ July 8, 1838, the Prophet prayed to the Lord saying: "O Lord! Show unto thy servant how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing." In answer to this prayer he received the revelation known as Section 119.
As with all other principles of the gospel, the law of tithing is not new or exclusive to this dispensation. It was the restoration of an ancient law lived by the Lord’s chosen in other dispensations. We have specific instances of Abraham, Moses and Malachi recorded in our scriptures of having this law.

1. The Lord has commanded us to pay tithing. He has promised great blessings to those who obey this commandment.

D&C 119:1-7
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their asurplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion,
2 For the building of mine ahouse, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church.
3 And this shall be the beginning of the atithing of my people.
4 And after that, those who have thus been atithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.
5 Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of aZion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.
6 And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of aZion unto you.
7 And this shall be an ensample unto all the astakes of Zion. Even so. Amen.

What is the Lord’s definition of tithing?

o The First Presidency gave the following definition of tithing: “The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this” (First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970).

§ According to President Joseph Fielding Smith, this revelation called for the following (see Church History & Modern Revelation, 3:120):

§ All surplus property of the members to be placed in the hands of the bishop.
§ For the building of the Lord's house, and for laying the foundation of Zion, and for the Priesthood, and the debts of the Presidency of the Church.
§ This was to be the beginning of tithing.
§ After this all members should pay one-tenth of their interest, annually. This was to be a standing law unto them forever.
§ All who gather to the land of Zion were required to be tithed of their surplus properties, and should observe the law, or they would be unworthy to abide among the Saints.
§ If the people failed to observe this law, and thus sanctify the land of Zion to the Lord, that his statutes and judgments may be kept, it would not be a land of Zion unto them.
§ This example was to be followed by all the people in all the stakes of Zion
The payment of tithes is a very personal matter-one that needs to be resolved between the Lord and the tithe payer.

President Joseph Fielding Smith
: “It is remarkable how many excuses can be made and interpretations given as to what constitutes the tenth. It is written, however, that as we measure it shall be measured to us again. If we are stingy with the Lord, he may be stingy with us, or in other words, withhold his blessings” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 2:92).

Reasons for paying tithing

What reasons do we have, then, to pay tithing?

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Like a Watered Garden’,” Liahona, Jan 2002, 37–39)
1. Pay your tithing for the sake of your children and grandchildren. Without the payment of tithes, the church cannot function financially. We could not build temples, chapels, or seminaries. Many of the programs of the church would simply cease to exist. It is just as important to teach your children about the temporal workings of the church as it is the temporal workings of your household.
“Then take your children to tithing settlement with you, just as President Howard W. Hunter’s grandson was taken with his father several years ago. In that experience the bishop indicated his pleasure in young Brother Hunter’s wanting to pay a full tithing. In the process of receiving the coins, he asked the lad if he thought the gospel were true. As the boy handed over his full tithing of 14 cents, this seven-year-old said he guessed the gospel was true but “it sure costs a lot of money.”

2. We pay our tithing to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so.
Malachi 3:10
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in mine house, and cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
“After she lost her husband in the martyrdom at Nauvoo and made her way west with five fatherless children, Mary Fielding Smith continued in her poverty to pay tithing. When someone at the tithing office inappropriately suggested one day that she should not contribute a tenth of the only potatoes she had been able to raise that year, she cried out to the man, “William, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold His blessings from me. I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it. [I need a blessing.] By keeping this and other laws, I expect to … be able to provide for my family.” 5

Elder Robert D. Hales
I know of two missionaries who visited a very poor family. The family’s home was made of pressboard and sticks, with a dirt floor and no electricity or beds. Each evening the father, a farm laborer, spent his entire day’s wages on groceries for dinner. Departing from their humble home, the senior companion thought to himself, “The law of tithing will surely be a stumbling block to this family. Perhaps we shouldn’t bring it up for a while.” A few moments later, the junior companion, who had grown up in similar circumstances in his own country, voiced his own thoughts aloud: “I know the principle of tithing isn’t taught for four more discussions, but can we please teach it the next time we visit? They need to know about tithing now because they need the help and the blessing of the Lord so much.”
This missionary understood that “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” 19 The Lord wants to bless this family and anxiously awaits their obedience so He can. (Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 26–29)


3. We, pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of our existence.

“As one young husband and father, living on a student budget, recently told me, “Perhaps our most pivotal moments as Latter-day Saints come when we have to swim directly against the current of the culture in which we live. Tithing provides just such a moment. Living in a world that emphasizes material acquisition and cultivates distrust for anyone or anything that has designs on our money, we shed that self-absorption to give freely, trustingly, and generously. By this act, we say—indeed—we are different, that we are God’s peculiar people. In a society that tells us money is our most important asset, we declare emphatically it is not.”
7 “
President Spencer W. Kimball once spoke of a man who prided himself on his vast acreage and remarkable holdings—groves and vineyards, herds and fields, ponds and homes and possessions of every kind. He prided himself on these, but to the end of his life was unwilling to tithe on them or even acknowledge that they were gifts from God. President Kimball then spoke at the man’s funeral, noting that this land baron was laid to rest in an oblong piece of soil measuring “the length of a tall man, the width of a heavy one.” 8 In answer to the age-old question, “How much did he leave?” be reassured the answer will always be, “All of it.” So we would do well to lay up treasures in heaven, where not taxes but doctrines give meaning to words like estate, inheritance, testament, and will. 9

4. Fourth, pay your tithes and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are God’s rightful due. Surely one of the most piercing lines in all of scripture is Jehovah’s thundering inquiry, “Will a man rob God?” And we ask, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” He answers, “In tithes and offerings.” 10

“Paying tithing is not a token gift we are somehow charitably bestowing upon God. Paying tithing is discharging a debt. Elder James E. Talmage once described this as a contract between us and the Lord. He imagined the Lord saying: “ ‘You have need of many things in this world—food, clothing, and shelter for your family .. , the common comforts of life. .. You shall have the means of acquiring these things; but remember they are mine, and I require of you the payment of a rental upon that which I give into your hands. However, your life will not be one of uniform increase .. [so] instead of doing as mortal landlords do—requir[ing] you to .. pay in advance, whatever your fortunes or .. prospects may be—you shall pay me .. [only] when you have received; and you shall pay me in accordance with what you receive. If it so be that in one year your income is abundant, then .. [your 10 percent will be a] little more; and if it be so that the next year is one of distress and your income is not what it was, then .. [your 10 percent will be] less. .. [Whatever your circumstance, the tithe will be fair.]’
“Have you ever found a landlord on earth who was willing to make that kind of [equitable] contract with you?” Elder Talmage asks. “When I consider the liberality of it all,” he says, “.. I feel in my heart that I could scarcely raise my countenance to .. Heaven .. if I tried to defraud [God] out of that [which is rightfully His].” 11 (Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Like a Watered Garden’,” Liahona, Jan 2002, 37–39)”

5. We pay our tithes as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
“the payment of tithing has less to do with money, but more to do with faith” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 41; or Ensign, May 1990, 32). How is tithing more about faith than money
Through His grace God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives that will include all of us, either temporally or spiritually speaking. For every one of us the gospel has broken forth as the light of the morning, driving back the darkness of ignorance and sorrow, fear and despair. In nation after nation His children have called and the Lord has answered. Through the movement of His gospel across the world, God is relieving the burdens of the weary and setting free those that are oppressed. His loving goodness has made our lives, rich or poor, near or far, “like a watered garden, … [from] a spring of water … [that faileth] not.” 12

The Lord’s promises to tithe prayers

3 Nephi 24: 10-12
10 Bring ye all the atithes into the storehouse, that there may be bmeat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the cwindows of heaven, and pour you out a dblessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the adevourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.

What does the Lord promise those who pay their tithing?

· Temporal Blessings
Our money will go further in paying our obligations
“One of the best ways that I know of to pay my obligations to my brother, my neighbor, or business associate, is for me first to pay my obligations to the Lord. I can pay more of my debts to my neighbors, if I have contracted them, after I have met my honest obligations with the Lord, than I can by neglecting the latter.” ( Joseph F. Smith, CR April 1903,2.)

I find it interesting that the Lord uses the phrase ”I will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing”- that same phrase “windows of heaven” was used in reference to the great flood.

Gen. 7: 11.
11 ¶ In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the afountains of the great deep bbroken up, and the cwindows of heaven were opened

When the windows of heaven opened for Noah, the earth could not absorb the amount of rain that fell and the earth flooded. This is the promise made to us if we pay our tithing. The Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings, not rain, but blessings in that same abundance!

· Spiritual Blessings
John A. Widtsoe
“The tithe-payer establishes communion with the Lord. This is the happiest reward. Obedience to the law of tithing, as to any other law, brings a deep, inward joy, a satisfaction and understanding that can be won in no other way. Man becomes in a real sense a partner, albeit a humble one, with the Lord in the tremendous, eternal program laid out for human salvation. The principles of truth become clearer of comprehension; the living of them easier of accomplishment. A new nearness is established between man and his Maker. Prayer becomes easier. Doubt retreats; faith advances; certainty and courage buoy up the soul. The spiritual sense is sharpened; the eternal voice is heard more clearly. Man becomes more like his Father in Heaven” (in Deseret News, 16 May 1936, Church Section, 5).

· We lay up for ourselves an inheritance in the celestial kingdom
Melvin J. Ballard
“Do we not hope and expect to have an inheritance in the celestial kingdom, even upon this earth in its redeemed and sanctified state? What are the terms under which we may obtain that inheritance? The law of tithing is the law of inheritance. It leads to it. No man may hope or expect to have an inheritance on this celestial globe who has failed to pay his tithing. By the payment of his honest tithing he is establishing a right and a title to this inheritance, and he cannot secure it upon any other terms but by complying with this and other just requirements. ( CR October, 1929, 50-51).

· We Will Abide the Day
What does it mean that the Lord will rebuke the devourer for our sakes?
(McConkie, Bruce. The Millenial Messiah, p. 544-45)
“ Malachi sets forth the words of the Lord Jehovah, who is the Lord Jesus, as he speaks in the first person. “ And I will come near to you to judgment.” he says, The Second Coming is the day of judgment. “ And I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.” The works here named, together with those who do them, shall be burned at his coming. None who live in this worldly way shall abide the day. Then comes the promise that the faithful in Israel shall be saved. “ Ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” saith the Lord. Those who are not consumed abide the day.
“ But the unfaithful in gathered Israel have no such promise. They are told: “een from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.” The Lord’s ordinances are his laws and commandments. There are those in the Church who have not walked in the light and kept the covenant made in the waters of baptism. “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.” There is yet time; the day is not at hand, and the hour has not arrived. There is yet a little season in which men may repent. But the lukewarm members of the Church, assuming in their minds that they have done no great evil, ask: “Wherein shall we return?” What have we done that is so grossly amiss? Have we not shown some measure of devotion? Surely we do not walk in a wicked way; what is our offense?”
“Then, as though the answer came from the fires and thunders of Sinai, the Lord of Hosts asked: “Will a man rob God?” Some might sink to such a depth as to rob their fellowmen. But who would be so vile, so devoid of all decency and right, so defiantly rebellious as to rob the Great God who created all things and who has poured out his bounties without measure upon men in all nations? Who would rob God? “Yet ye have robbed me, “ saith the Lord. In seeming unbelief that they could be accused of so gross a crime, even the most rebellious in Israel ask, “ Wherein have we robbed thee?” The answer is forthcoming, He whose judgments are just and who does all things well replies: “ In tithes and offerings.” All Israel has covenanted in the waters of baptism to pay one-tenth of their increase annually into the tithing funds of the Church. That tenth is the Lord’s tenth. It no longer belongs to the steward in whose hands it rests for the moment. It is the Lord’s. To misappropriate the Lord’s property is dishonest. In his sight it is robbery. Hence he says: “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” (Mal 3:1-9)”
“What is it that we thus learn from the Lord with reference to those who shall abide the day of his coming? We learn that those in Israel who are refined and purified shall walk unharmed in the furnace of Nebuchadnezzar, as it were, and upon their bodies the millennial fires have no power. Not a hair of their heads shall be singed, and the smell of fire shall not cling to their garments. But as for the sorcerers, the adulterers, the false swearers, those who oppress the poor, and those who rob God- none of these shall abide the day. And as to his own covenant people who choose to rob him of that which is his, the Lord in our day has issued this warning:

D&C64:23
23 Behold, now it is called atoday until the bcoming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of csacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is dtithed shall not be eburned at his coming.
D&C85:3
3 It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their ainheritance by bconsecration, agreeable to his claw, which he has given, that he may dtithe his people, to prepare them against the day of evengeance and burning, should have their fnames enrolled with the people of God.


Conclusion
I bear testimony that it is the will of the Lord that all his people gain a testimony of the law of tithing. How do we do that? By living the law.
cprove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not dopen you the ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
I testify that if the Lord says he will pour out a blessing upon you, He certainly will.
He loves us to the extent that He gave His life for us. We are His work and His glory. He gives us all the laws to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life, of tithing is a part, I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
.

Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts

Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”

Historical Background

In September 1830, the Lord gave Joseph Smith a revelation where He commanded Oliver Cowdery to "go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them" (D&C 28:8

Oliver obeyed, and soon left for the frontier settlement of Independence, Missouri. Oliver was accompanied by Peter Whitmer, Parley P. Pratt, and Ziba Peterson.

En route to western Missouri, they stopped and preached for several weeks in Ohio, particularly in the Kirtland area where they found a great deal of interest.

Within three weeks they had baptized 127 persons, including Sidney Rigdon, a Cambellite preacher and friend of Parley Pratt.

The zealous missionaries departed and continued on their journey to the Lamanite. This, however left this new community of saints virtually leaderless. Without leadership and direction, this enthusiastic group of converts engaged in practices, some new and some traditional, that were not in harmony with the restored gospel.

Upon hearing the reports, the Prophet sent John Whitmer to preside over the Ohio branches, but it was too much for him and he pleaded with the Prophet for help.

The Prophet arrived in Kirtland early in 1831 and was able to witness first hand the confusion amongst these new Latter-day Saints.

o Joseph found these new Saints in Kirtland striving to do their best, but also found that they were continuing practices not in keeping with the gospel. Joseph referred to them as "strange notions and false spirits." A group in Kirtland called the Morley Family, lived an imperfect law of sharing all things, which caused some difficult feelings. They had a revelator known as "Black Pete." They claimed to see angels and to receive letters from heaven.

o John Whitmer reported: "Some had visions and knew not what they saw, some would fancy to themselves that they had the sword of Laban, and would wield it as expert as a light dragon, some would act like an Indian in the act of scalping, some would slide or scoop on the floor, with the rapidity of a serpent, which they termed sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel. And many other vain and foolish manoevers that are unseeming and unprofitable to mention. . . . These things grieved the servants of the Lord, and some conversed together on this subject, and others came in and we were at Joseph Smith, Jr. the Seer, and made it a matter of consultation, for many would not turn from their folly, unless God would give a revelation." (Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p134)

o Parley P. Pratt, who returned to Kirtland in the early summer of 1831, wrote that "some very strange spiritual operations were manifested, which were disgusting, rather than edifying. Some persons would seem to swoon away, and make unseemly gestures, and be drawn or disfigured in their countenances. Others would fall into ecstasies, and be drawn into contortions, cramps, fits, etc. Others would seem to have visions and revelations, which were not edifying, and which were not congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. In short, a false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the Church." (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p61)

It was in response to these practices, on March 8, 1831, that the Prophet received the revelation contained in Section 46.

D&C46:7-8
7 But ye are commanded in all things to aask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all bholiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, cconsidering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and dthanksgiving, that ye may not be eseduced by evil fspirits, or doctrines of devils, or the gcommandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived aseek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;


1. All faithful members of the Church can receive gifts of the Spirit.


Gifts of the Spirit are spiritual blessings or abilities that are given through the Holy Ghost. These gifts were taken from the earth during the Great Apostasy, but God restored them in the early days of this dispensation.

Spiritual gifts come from God, are administered by the Holy Ghost, and they are transmitted to men by the Spirit of Christ, which is the light of Christ, which is the agency of God’s power. Their receipt is predicated upon faith, obedience, and personal righteousness; hence they are reserved for the saints of God, for those who believe in his name and live his laws. They are the signs and miracles that follow those who believe, and their receipt, in one degree or another, is essential to salvation. ( A New Witness to the Articles of Faith, Bruce R. McConkie, p. 367)

What are some of the gifts of the Spirit?

( gifts of the Spirit are also identified in 1 Corinthians 12:4–12; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; and Moroni 10:8–18.)


D&C 46:13. (Knowledge “given by the Holy Ghost … that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.”)

“This describes a different, more powerful gift than being certain through our faith. This is the gift of direct, empirical knowledge of Christ, the kind of knowledge that Joseph took with him when he left the Sacred Grove.” ( A Commentary on the Doctine and Covenants, Robinson & Garrett, p.77)


b. D&C 46:14. (Belief in others’ testimonies of the Savior.)
This the category most members of the church fall into and is no trivial gift. “ We are promised eternal life if we continue faithful to the witness that confirms to us the testimony of others who have personally seen and experienced.”. (Commentary on the Doctrine & Covenants, Robinson & Garrett p. 78)

c. D&C 46:15. (Knowledge of “the differences of administration.”)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve said that this gift is “used in administering and regulating the church” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 278).
This phrase is used in 1 Corinthians 12:5, where the Greek means “differences in ways of serving”.
To know these differences is to recognize how God has endowed different individuals with different gifts and with different ‘styles’ of ways of doing things.

d. D&C 46:16. (Discernment “to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God.”
This gift helps us discern whether a teaching or influence comes from God or from some other source.)
This gift also is demonstrated in the ability to see what is really going on around us, to recognize the operation or activity of an influence, movement, or trend, to know what is at work and whether it is of God. (Commentary on the Doctrine & Covenants, Robinson & Garrett p. 78)


e. D&C 46:17–18. (Wisdom and knowledge.)
wisdom is knowledge or data plus judgment, understanding or common sense.

f. D&C 46:19. (Faith to be healed.)
In a conflict between the saints and the mobs in Independence , brother Philo Dibble, of Ohio was shot through his waistband. Elder Parley Pratt related, “ the ball remained in him, He bled much inwardly, and, in a day or two his bowels were so filled with blood and so inflamed that he was about to die, or rather, he had been slowly dying from the time he was wounded. The smell of himself had become intolerable to him and those about him. At length, Elder Newel Knight administered to him, , by the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus; his hands had scarcely touched his head when he felt an operation penetrating his whole system as if it had been a purifying fire. He immediately discharged several quarts of blood and corruption, among which was the ball with which he had been wounded. He was instantly healed, and went to work chopping wood. “ ( Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 100)

g. D&C 46:20. (Faith to heal.)

h. D&C 46:21. (The working of miracles.)
“properly gifted persons control the elements, move mountains, turn rivers out of their course, walk on water, quench the violence of fire, are carried by the power of the Spirit from one congregation to another, are translated and taken into heaven, or- and this above all- gain for themselves an eternal inheritance in the presence of Him who is Eternal. Miracles are now, have always been, and always will be part and portion of the true gospel of that God who is a God of miracles.” ( A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.373)

i. D&C 46:22. (Prophecy.)

j. D&C 46:23. (Discerning of spirits.)
Joseph Smith once said, “ Nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the spirit of God.” (Teachings, 205)
k. D&C 46:24. (Speaking in tongues.)
in the biblical world, the words for tongue and language were the same. The gift of tongues, therefore, is the gift of languages. It is designed to reveal and communicate through the spirit.
the gift of tongues has been, from the beginning, the most counterfeited by false spirits.
l. D&C 46:25. (Interpretation of tongues.)

This by no means is an inclusive list of all the gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety ( A New Witness to the Articles of Faith, p. 371)

Marvin J. Ashton
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost. (“‘There Are Many Gifts’,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 20).

D&C46:11
11 For all have not every agift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.

EVERY faithful member of the church who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost is given at least one spiritual gift. The presence of these spiritual gifts, in fact, are one of the signs of the true church.

Mormon 9:24
24 And athese signs shall follow them that believe—in my name shall they cast out bdevils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay chands on the sick and they shall recover;

God gives gifts of the Spirit for the benefit of His children

Why does the Lord grant us these gifts?



1. That all the saints may be profited
D&C 46:11-12
11 For all have not every agift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

Elder Orson Pratt
“Spiritual gifts are distributed among the members of the Church, according to their faithfulness, circumstances, natural abilities, duties, and callings; that the whole may be properly instructed, confirmed, perfected, and saved” (Masterful Discourses and Writings of Orson Pratt, comp. N. B. Lundwall [1953], 571).

“We are meant to join together in one body to complement each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s weakness. Collectively, we possess all the gifts.. And so it follows that we need each other, each of the members needs the whole body. By design, no single individual is inteded to be spiritually self-sufficient.” ( Commentary on the Doctrine & Covenants, Robinson & Garrett p. 76)


2. To strengthen and bless us individually

Dallin H. Oaks
gifts of the Spirit “can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections” (“Spiritual Gifts,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 72).

3. To help us avoid being deceived

The Lord designed in the beginning to place before man the knowledge of good and evil, and gave him a commandment to cleave to good and abstain from evil.

Bruce R. McConkie
“Satan and his fallen angels abide on earth. They seek to destroy men and doom them to an everlasting perdition. If they alone had influence and there were no help from above, men would slide everlastingly downward, until, bound by the chains of hell, they would be in bondage to that evil spirit who fell from the presence of the Eternal God. As we have seen, God gives gifts to men to lift them up, to light their way back to heaven, to let them gain glimpses, while yet on their mortal pilgrimages, of that eternal home whence they came. These good gifts are shown forth in the midst of a world filled with evil gifts. And as we have seen, these good gifts are given so that men need “not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men.” The Lord’s people are to “be aware lest [they] are deceived; and that [they] may not be deceived, “ they are to seek..earnestly the best gifts” ( D&C 46:7-8) (A New Witness to the Articles of Faith, p. 376)


We should seek and cultivate gifts of the Spirit.

The Lord expects us to desire and seek for spiritual experiences and gifts.



Paul says: “Covet earnestly the best gifts” ( 1 Cor 12:31), “desire spiritual gifts”, and be
“zealous of spiritual gifts”, seeking “that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” ( 1 Cor 14:1, 12). Moroni says: “Lay hold upon every good gift.” ( Moroni 10:31) and to Joseph Smith, the Lord said, “ Ye are commanded In all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally.”

The Lord posed the following question in the latter days: “ What doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?” The answer: “Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” ( D&C 88:33)


What can we do to cultivate and develop the spiritual gifts we have been given?
Elder Orson Pratt (1811–81) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed John Wesley’s insightful words from the mid-1700s (Sermon 94) as he wrote about the Dark Ages:

“ ‘The real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the christian church, was, because the christians were turned heathens again. ..If then, the ‘whole of christendom,’ without one exception, have been ‘buried in the most abominable idolatry for upwards of eight hundred years,’ .. And if they, because they are destitute of the gifts, are not even now christians, but heathens .. , we ask where the authority was during this eight hundred years, and where is it now? Surely God would not recognise ‘the most abominable idolaters,’ as holding authority” (Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, no. 2 [1850], 21).

We can ponder, pray, fast, priesthood blessings, patriarchal blessings, obey the commandments, being set apart for our callings and serve others. Essentially, we can live the gospel to the best of our ability.


What can we do to seek gifts of the Spirit?

D&C46
30 He that aasketh in the bSpirit asketh according to the cwill of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.
31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit;
32 And ye must give athanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.
33 And ye must practise avirtue and holiness before me continually. Even so. Amen.

President George Q. Cannon
“If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them” (Millennial Star, 23 Apr. 1894, 260).



Conclusion
Robert D. Hales
Remember that the reason we want to have the stability and strength of the gifts of the Spirit is that we want to weather the storms when they come. We will be tried in this mortal probation. We don’t want to decide to learn how to swim when the boat is already sinking. When a severe disability or problem comes to a family or an individual, a high percentage of families and individuals break up, disintegrate, because they are overwhelmed and unprepared. That is why we are faithful, and that is why we remain strong and have those spiritual gifts.

Through His knowledge and obedience, when Jesus was in pain and upon the cross, He thought about taking care of His mother and spoke to John the Beloved about it (see John 19:25–27). In all of the pain we must go through, we have to remember the pain that is in others.

The gifts of the Spirit can guide and enrich our lives. They can strengthen us spiritually and temporally. They can help us bless the lives of others. Most important, they can bring us comfort in times of trial. They can help us magnify our callings. They can help guide us in our relationships. They can help us avoid being deceived.

I bear testimony that God has given us the gifts of the Spirit to allow us to be drawn more closely into His circle of love. He desires that we should receive these gifts of the Spirit and magnify them and have them grow within us. We have to teach one another how to seek after them. As we do, our faith in Him will increase and our true destiny will be fulfilled, ultimately to return to His presence as His valiant sons and daughters. May we seek after and obtain these gifts, I humbly pray. (Robert D. Hales, “Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb 2002, 12).