Abraham 4

Abraham gives us a little different insight with the creation as he writes -
"...the Gods took counsel among themselves and said: Let us go down and form man in our image, after our likeness; and we will give them dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 4:26)

And then he writes -

"So the Gods went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the Gods to form they him, male and female to form they them." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 4:27)

What seemed to strike me here is not necessarily that the Gods, meaning plural, but whom those Gods may be. Using a little bit of logic, if the Gods formed male and female after their own image, would that not suggest that at lease one of the Gods was female. Just a thought. Elder Bruce R. McConkie referenced in his writings -

"...Those women who go on to their exaltation, ruling and reigning with husbands who are kings and priests, will themselves be queens and priestesses. They will hold positions of power, authority, and preferment in eternity." (Gospel Kingdom, pp. 221-222, 229.)

Abraham 3

In my blog yesterday, I mentioned a few of the promises given to Abraham and his children. There are even more promises as the Lord -

"...put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which his hands had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see the end thereof." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 3:12)

AS the Lord showed Abraham the greatness of his creations, He promised to Abraham as -

"...it was in the night time when the Lord spake these words unto me: I will multiply thee, and thy seed after thee, like unto these; and if thou canst count the number of sands, so shall be the number of thy seeds." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 3:14)

That same promise is the the obedient that will become the children of Abraham.

Abraham 2

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote to Orson Hyde and John E. Page -

"...If there is anything calculated to interest the mind of the Saints, to awaken in them the finest sensibilities, and arouse them to enterprise and exertion, surely it is the great and precious promises made by our heavenly Father to the children of Abraham..." (Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 163)

We begin to see these promises as the Lord says -

"...I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations..." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 2:9)

"...I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father..." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 2:10)

"...I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 2:11)

But of these blessings, there is a condition -

"...I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 2:6)

The Savior in His mortal ministry emphasized the same as the Pharisees suggested they were sons of Abraham. The Savior responeded -

"...I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham..." (New Testament | Matthew 3:9)

Abraham 1

Even though Abraham's father and family (kinsfolk) had not hearkened to the word of the Lord, Abraham himself had a great desire to follow the Lord and receive his priesthood saying -

"...finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:2)

For -

"I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:4)

Because of Abraham's obedience even to the point of losing his own life, the Lord said -

"...I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:18)

With these words, the Lord made it clear that we take upon us His name or He places upon us His name as we receive His priesthood. Thus His power will be over us. Taking on His priesthood then is synonomous to taking upon us His name.

The rights and responsibility of the priesthood was so important to Abraham that he explains -

"...the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:31)

Abraham made it clear that just as Moses, he also had the record of the creation and the plan of salvation in his possession.

Moses 8

We learn of Noah that -

"...Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:13)

Because Noah hearkened unto the Lord or in other words was obedient -

"...the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his Gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:19)

This seems to be the pattern throughout scriptures of those who were obedient to the Lord. But there is also another pattern that seems prevalent where the Lord explained -

"...mine anger is kindled against the sons of men, for they will not hearken to my voice." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:15)

The sons of God hearken to his word and the sons of men do not. The sons of God are then called to serve or preach the gospel. As we read of the thoughts and rationalizing of the sons of men in Noah's day, we ought to consider men in our day -

"...have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? And are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage? And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:21)

Do not men today rationalize their behavior because everyone else is doing it.

"...and every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:22)

Is this not apparent in what we see in the entertainment media? But -

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; for Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation; and he walked with God, as did also his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:27)

Because of their obedience, the Lord provided these sons of God protection. I picture the ark servings as a symbol of the righteous gathering in stakes where the ark is a symbol -

"...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.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 115:6)

Moses 7

Enoch tells us that -

"...it came to pass that I turned and went up on the mount; and as I stood upon the mount, I beheld the heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory..." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:3)

Nephi records that -

"...I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 11:1)

In the days of Moses , we know that -

"...the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up." (Old Testament | Exodus 19:20)

And in the days of the Savior -

"...Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them." (New Testament | Mark 9:2)

We don't know all that took place there for we are told of -

"...the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount; of which account the fulness ye have not yet received." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 63:21)

It seems throughout scripture that there has been many instances where prophets have gone to the "mountain of the Lord" to receive knowledge and glory. It seems the Lord has used the mountain as His temple when there has been know temple constructed. The mountain of the Lord seems to be synonymous to the Lord's house. In modern day we read that -

"...the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:32)

Though little is mentioned what took place on the mounts, I have a personal belief that it was there that these great men such as Enoch when he mentions -

"...I turned and went up on the mount; and as I stood upon the mount, I beheld the heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory..." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:3)

...that I believed he received the great endowments of the Lord.

Moses 6

Upon Adam learning the plan of salvation, the Lord commanded him -

"...teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time.
58 Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children..." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:57 - 58)


In his journal, Abraham wrote how he was keeping that commandment -

"But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me." (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:31)

That is why I write of this blog as I study the scriptures, or in other words -

"...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:26)

One of the greater orations on the plan of salvation was given as Mahijah approached Enoch and asked -

"...Tell us plainly who thou art, and from whence thou comest?" (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:40)

It was in response to that question came this great explanation -

"...Because that Adam fell, we are; and by his fall came death; and we are made partakers of misery and woe.
49 Behold Satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him; and men have become carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God.
50 But God hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent.
51 And he called upon our father Adam by his own voice, saying: I am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh.
52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.
53 And our father Adam spake unto the Lord, and said: Why is it that men must repent and be baptized in water? And the Lord said unto Adam: Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgression in the Garden of Eden.
54 Hence came the saying abroad among the people, that the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.
55 And the Lord spake unto Adam, saying: Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.
56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.
57 Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:48 - 57)

"That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;
60 For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;
61 Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
62 And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:59 - 62)

Enoch must have been a great teacher for we read for -

"...as Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand in his presence." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:47)

This is the plan of salvation. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." (History of the Church 3:30.)

Moses 6

When the Lord called Enoch to the work, Enoch responded -

"...Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?" (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:31)

Humility, the absence of pride, seems to be a important characteristic among those whom the Lord calls. We see this among many great prophets. Moses said much the same thing -

"...Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Old Testament | Exodus 3:11)

As Aaron and Miriam complained about Moses, we learn -

"(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)" (Old Testament | Numbers 12:3)

With Isaiah's calling, he exclaimed -

"...Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Old Testament | Isaiah 6:5)

And Jeremiah also said -

"...I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:6)

In response to a meek and humble Jeremiah, the Lord said -

"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 1:8 - 10)

And returning to Enoch, the Lord said -

"...Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
34 Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:32 - 34)

All these men became great prophets because they obeyed and opened their mouths. The promise is to all the Lord calls who obey in meekness and humility.

Moses 5

As our first parents learned the plan of redemption -

"...Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:12)

It is apparent that after hearing the plan and the promised blessings, ti became the most important thing in their lives that their children hear and receive the same blessings.

This importance becomes even more apparent when -

"Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said: I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject his words..." Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:16)

John also testified -

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (New Testament | 3 John 1:4)

This is a significant part of the plan as we are all linked together.

Moses 4

As the Lord would remaint truthful to His conditions, He tells us -

"So I drove out the man, and I placed at the east of the Garden of Eden, cherubim and a flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:31)

We receive more insight as Antionah asked -

"What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever." (Book of Mormon | Alma 12:21)

Alma answers -

"...if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of God would have been void, taking none effect." (Book of Mormon | Alma 12:26)

Alms tells us that it was not possible that Adam and Eve could eat of the Tree of Life. Later to his son, Alma says -

"...after the Lord God sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life—
3 Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit— (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:2 - 3)

But Alma follows with is the important part -

"...thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.
5 For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated." (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:4 - 5)

What I think may be overlooked in these versus is the Cheribum that was placed to "keep" the way to the Tree of Life. Keep does not necessarily mean that one cannot get to the Tree of Life. Keep suggest maintaining control of the way.

It was Amulek that made it clear of the Savior that -

"...he shall not save his people in their sins." (Book of Mormon | Alma 11:36)

The Tree of Life is symbolic of the Savior and His redeeming love or grace. A time was given so that man could repent and become free of sin. The Lord said to Adam and Eve -

"...thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:8)

As we ponder Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, which I believe is the same symbolic tree, he saw but one way, one gate, and a strait path or time that led to the tree. Then it only makes sense that one can reach the tree and partake of His fruit by following the Lord's way. Nephi also saw that all other ways were kept as he tells his brothers that he -

"...also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end." (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 15:30)

Moses 3

Much of the world seems to celebrate a 7-day week. It doesn't take much to realize that he 7-day week comes from the periods of the creation. The Lord said that -

"...on the seventh day I, God, ended my work, and all things which I had made; and I rested on the seventh day from all my work, and all things which I had made were finished, and I, God, saw that they were good;
3 And I, God, blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it I had rested from all my work which I, God, had created and made." Pearl of Great Price Moses 3:2 - 3)

The emphasis is that the Lord "sanctified" one day in seven. Sanctifiy means -

1 : to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate

2 : to free from sin : purify
3 a : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to b : to give moral or social sanction to
4 : to make productive of holiness or piety

The commandment to us is also to sanctify this day or to set it apart, consecrate, and make it holy.In modern day the Lord said -

"...that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;
12 But remember that on this, the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:9 - 12)

And with doing that, the Lord promises

"...inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—
16 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:15 - 16)

Resting from our labors and sanctfying this day then means that we do it with thanksgiving and cheerful hearts. Great promises are given to those that do for -

"...in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:21)

Moses 1

As Moses was confronted with the temptations of the world, he said to Satan -

"...I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him: for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee..."  (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:18)

What a profound statement - " I will not cease to call upon God...".

Paul pleaded to the saints in Corinth -

"Pray without ceasing."  (New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Alma taught that he was -

"...commanded of God to pray without ceasing,"  (Book of Mormon Mosiah 26:39)

Constant prayer has been commanded from the beginning.

If I was to layout what I thought was the two most important keys that has and continues to change my life is regular prayer and reading and learning God's will through the scriptures.  If one will hold fast to "calling upon God" and inquiring of him, I'm convinced He will lead you in the way you should go.

Moses 1

Because the focuses study of the Sunday School this year is the Old Testament, I've decided to first focus my reading and study on the Old Testament before I return to the Doctrine and Covenants.  In other years, I have read the Old Testament from cover to cover.  This year I have decided to pretty much follow the reading assignments outlined by the Sunday School.  As I began my reading this morning, what caught my attention was the words of Moses as -

"...Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me."  (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:12)

That single line provides a great deal of incite and his motives as we learn  that Satan was -

"...an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
26 And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.
27 And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning!  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 76:25 - 27)

Satan rebelled because he wanted the power of the Son.  This becomes even more apparent as Moses chose not to follow him -

"...Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me."  (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:19)

Satan totally rebelled because he wanted power and glory and could not deal that God would forever have this glory.  As a result -

"...because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down..."  (Pearl of Great Price Moses 4:3)

We must learn the opposite.  That in humility as we become submissive to God and his will, He promises to share His glory with us.

D&C 88

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sanctify as -

1)  to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use - consecrate, and

2)  to free from sin  - purify

In revelation, the Lord explained -

"...if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 88:67)

In then He provides what He means by sanctify -

"Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:68)

I then interpret His commandment to mean that  to sanctify ourselves, we must turn our eyes and thoughts such that they are always single to God's glory, not our own.  That all things are done according to His will and wise purposes.  Wherein is the challenge to do all things with God's glory in mind.  The Savior was the great exemplar of this as He declared -

"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."  (New Testament John 5:30)

D&C 88

In follow up to my blog yesterday in regards to the Lord's commandment to to the saints to assemble, organize, and sanctify themselves, the Lord again returns to the same topic.  But in this case, He seems to provide a little bit more guidance on what He meant as He continues -

"...the order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests, even down to the deacons..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:127)

In my mind, the school of the prophets was nothing more that what is referred to today a priesthood meeting.  This group was to -

"Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:122)

And  they were to -

"...seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:118)

And by doing so, the priesthood was to -

"...Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
120 That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.
121 Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:119 - 121)

"See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.

124 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.
125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.
126 Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come...."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:123 - 126)

The Lord also provided some guidelines in how the priesthood was to treat one another as He instructs -

"...let the teacher arise, and, with uplifted hands to heaven, yea, even directly, salute his brother or brethren with these words:
133 Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:132 - 133)

This is great instruction for priesthood leaders.

D&C 88

I've always felt the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants was one of the greater revelations we received of the Lord.  In this revelation the Lord said -

"...I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean..."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:74)

It was important that these "first laborers" become clean to accomplish the purposes of God so -

"That I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation; that I may fulfil this promise, this great and last promise, which I have made unto you, when I will."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:75)

The condition for this last great promise to fulfilled would have to be based upon their cleanliness.  I sense that to become clean required His saints to assemble and to organize.  I consider organize would mean to come to one unified body or -

"...unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ..."  (New Testament Ephesians 4:13)

Which means as we prepare and sanctify ourselve we come unto "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ".  The Lord doesn't necessarily say whag the promise is.  But what I believe He is referring to is the restitution of all things or the last dispensation of keys necessary for salvation which took place sometime later in the Kirtland Temple.