Moses 7

In a revelation on the priesthood, we learn that -

"The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107:20)

I believe that most of these ministering angels are those assigned to come forth in the flesh on this earth though they are not limited to remaining on this earth for as Jacob slept -

"...he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it."  (Old Testament | Genesis 28:12)

Knowing that one third of the host of heaven that followed Satan was cast down to this earth, Elisha declared -

"...Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  (Old Testament | 2 Kings 6:16)

After Zion was taken up to heaven, Enoch -

"...beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:27)

Thus, the mission of ministering angels is much like the mission of the Holy Ghost.  Where the Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood, ministering angels are preparatory to receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Many call such angels, guardian angels.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught -

"In a closely related way, these ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood are also vital to the ministering of angels.

 

“The word ‘angel’ is used in the scriptures for any heavenly being bearing God’s message” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [1987], 54). The scriptures recite numerous instances where an angel appeared personally. Angelic appearances to Zacharias and Mary (see Luke 1) and to King Benjamin and Nephi, the grandson of Helaman (see Mosiah 3:2; 3 Ne. 7:17–18) are only a few examples. When I was young, I thought such personal appearances were the only meaning of the ministering of angels. As a young holder of the Aaronic Priesthood, I did not think I would see an angel, and I wondered what such appearances had to do with the Aaronic Priesthood.

 

"But the ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described “the action of the angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive … revelations from the eternal world” (Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987], 31).

 

"Nephi described three manifestations of the ministering of angels when he reminded his rebellious brothers that (1) they had “seen an angel,” (2) they had “heard his voice from time to time,” and (3) also that an angel had “spoken unto [them] in a still small voice” though they were “past feeling” and “could not feel his words” (1 Ne. 17:45). The scriptures contain many other statements that angels are sent to teach the gospel and bring men to Christ (see Heb. 1:14; Alma 39:19; Moro. 7:25, 29, 31–32; D&C 20:35). Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than seen.

 

"How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same as for the Spirit of the Lord.

 

"In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. As explained earlier, through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels." (Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, October 1998)

Moses 6

Upon teaching the people concerning the fall of Adam, Enoch then taught them the plan of salvation saying -

"...God hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:50)

And upon repentance -

"...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."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:52)

And it is with the Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost -

"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."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:61)

For -

"...all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:63)

In summary of the plan of salvation, Enoch taught -

"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..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:59 - 60)

For -

"...This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:62)

As we strive to do these things an endure to the end, this is the very doctrine of Christ.  And as we follow His doctrine -

"...thou art one in me, a son of God..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:68)

Moses 6

Upon receiving commandments and revelations from the Lord we learn that -

"...a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:5)

And it was these writings by Adam and his righteous posterity, even prophets of God, that -

"...their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:6)

Obviously, then Adam and Eve were not only intelligent but must have been educated being taught a language that was pure and undefiled.  But not only knowing and understanding that language, they also must have been taught to read and write this language.

As we read the words of Enoch, we receive great incite on the matter as he taught the plan of salvation to the people in his day explaining -

"For a book of remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God; and it is given in our own language."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:46)

It seems to me that not only were Adam and Eve taught the "Adamic" language which we are told is pure and undefiled, they were taught how to read and write by the Lord "according the the pattern" as taught them from the Lord.

Being that the languages were altered in the days of Babel, we would have to assume that the Jared and his brother must have initially had this pure and undefiled language in their day as we learn that the Lord -

"...did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded."  (Book of Mormon | Ether 1:35)

 

Moses 6

Speaking of the righteous sons (posterity) of Adam, Moses writes that -

"...they were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:23)

One of those "sons" was Enoch for as -

"...Enoch journeyed in the land, among the people; and as he journeyed, the Spirit of God descended out of heaven, and abode upon him.
27 And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;
28 And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:26 - 28)

Most of us can greatly relate with Enoch for -

"...when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: 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)

The words "hate me" could suggest that they are not necessarily friendly or it could mean to the point that his life could be seriously in danger for we already read that they "devised murder".  The words of Enoch could be applied to almost any calling in the Church, especially amongst newly called full-time missionaries.  But the promise to Enoch (in which the Lord says what he says to one, he says to all) is -

"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."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:32)

The Lord then adds -

"Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:34)

Or, in my mind, all thy words I will support.  And then He adds the profound words -

"...thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:34)

When we may feel and think we are alone, we are not...if we follow his commandments we are walking with Him and He with us.   We later read that through the obedience of Enoch that it is written -

"...For he walked with God."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:39)

Isn't that a wonderful thought?

Moses 6

As Moses refers to the posterity of Adam that were children of God, or those that chose righteousness -

"...the Lord blessed them;
5 And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:4 - 5)

By definition that a book was written by the spirit of inspiration, this book of remembrance obviously is the beginning of the scriptures for Peter taught  -

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:20 - 21)

And thus with this scripture or book of remembrance -

"...their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:6)

Obviously then, Adam and Eve were educated and intelligent.  We see this same pattern amongst the Nephites with the need for the "book of remembrance" or plates of Laban as king Benjamin taught his people -

"For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time."  (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 1:4)

The people of Zarahemla did not have such a book of remembrance and thus their language and knowledge of God became corrupted, thus -

"...Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written..." (Book of Mormon | Omni 1:18)

Moses 5

As we come to learn of the rebelliousness and wickedness of Cain, I was touched by the comment -

"And Adam and his wife mourned before the Lord, because of Cain and his brethren."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:27)

The fact that all man have their agency, it is very difficult for righteous parents of wayward children.  As I meet with such parents, many times they are seriously discouraged.  Generally, it appears all we can do is just love them and be an example.  I appreciate the counsel of Elder Richard G. Scott concerning the matter -

“Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you. “Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord.

“First, you must recognize two foundation principles:

1. While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord.
2. Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26–33).

“I will suggest seven ways you can help...

First—Love without limitations.

Second—Do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor.

Third—Teach truth.

Fourth—Honestly forgive as often as is required.

Fifth—Pray trustingly. “The… fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Sixth—Keep perspective. When you have done all that you can reasonably do, rest the burden in the hands of the Lord.… When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry.… In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective.

“One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!” (“To Help a Loved One in Need,” Ensign, May 1988, pp. 60–61)

Moses 5

After having received the Holy Ghost having then received knowledge by revelation of the plan of salvation, they exclaimed -

"...Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

11

And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:10 - 11)

As you would expect having received such great knowledge -

"...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 with their sons and daughters, especially Cain, that we see the beginning of a pattern that greatly persists in our day for -

"...Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:13)

In the Book of Mormon, we learn how one becomes a son of God, where King Benjamin taught -

"...because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."  (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:7)

Alma would later learn that -

"...all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters..."  (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 27:25)

Obviously, Satan lied when he claimed to be a son of God.  He is the opposite of righteousness.  And we learn this as Moses wrote that "they loved Satan more than God" or in other words, they desired to be "carnal, sensual, and devilish"...becoming of the world.  This ever present today. 

We learn that many of Adam and Eve's posterity repented of their sins and many did not.  It is then that we learn that Eve  -

"...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)

Obviously Adam and Eve loved Cain and strived to raise him in righteousness.  But having his agency -

"...Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him?"  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:16)

It is apparent that Cain did not follow the pattern of his parents in obedience to the commandments, having faith, repenting, receiving the Holy Ghost and receiving knoweldge for in his ignorance and arrogance he exclaimed "Who is the Lord that I should know him?"  I think this is the pattern we see today as many make know effort of faith and thus say much the same thing.

It is interesting as Cain "loves Satan more than God", we see that by small steps, Satan applies the chains of hell.  David J. Ridges provided the following "Steps in the Pattern of Deception" -

"1. Having a cocky, arrogant attitude about God and His Church, gospel, and so forth (see verse 16).
2. Loving Satan more than God, enjoying evil more than the things of God (see verse 18).
3. Making your own rules, in opposition to God's, and being angry at God for not accepting your rules for religion as being just as valid as those established by God (verses 19–21).
4. Rejecting opportunities to understand and repent (verses 22–25).
5. Being angry and rejecting God and His servants (verse 26s).
6. Surrounding yourself with friends and peers who enjoy evil just like you, and who support you in your wickedness (verses 27–28).
7. Making secret, dark, covenants with the devil and his evil representatives to destroy the righteous (verses 29–30).
8. Glorying and rejoicing in wickedness (verse 31).
9. Foolishly believing that you have attained true freedom by rejecting the laws of God. 10. Complaining bitterly and blaming others when you finally get caught; refusing to accept full accountability for your actions (verses 38–39)."  (Ridges, David J.  (2009-06-01). The Pearl of Great Price Made Easier)

There is one thing that stands out to me is step 3 which we see much today.  It is where many try to justify their actions based upon their own perception of rules and fairness and not according to God's commandments thus they become somewhat angry activists for -

"...Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:17)

The Lord's Commandment was -

"...that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:5)

Satan put it into the heart of Cain to -

"...Make an offering unto the Lord."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:18)

But I believe it was more of that which is contrary to the commandment of the Lord suggesting to Cain that why isn't his occupation as great as his brother...that it is greatly unfair or bias that Abel gets to sacrifice that which is of his occupation, but Cain cannot.  This is where Cain begins to make his own rules based upon his own judgement and not that of the Lord.   Thus he sacrifices the fruit of the ground contrary to the commandments.  And when this is not acceptable, he is angry and rebels.  Because of disobedience, Cain never receives the Spirit of the Lord nor receives understanding.  Step by step, Satan leads Cain to hell.

We see this same pattern today with same gender marraige, equal rights and roles of the genders, the claim for women to hold the priesthood, laws against immorality, and the list goes on and on.

Moses 5

Even from the very beginning with Adam and Eve, we learn the pattern of revelation and receiving knowledge.  After having been driven out of the Garden -

"...Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.
5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:4 - 5)

It is important to understand that the Lord gave Adam and Eve commandments and they chose, by faith, to be obedient.  After having demonstrated faith and obedience -

"...after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.
9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:6 - 9)

It was by faith and obedience that Adam and Eve received further knowledge.  Upon receiving further knowledge -

"...in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.
11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
12 And 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 5:10 - 12)

This is the pattern and process by which we continue to receive knowledge and testimonies...only upon faith and obedience first.

Moses 4

As Adam and Eve were being cast out of the Garden, the Lord said -

"Unto the woman, I, the Lord God, said: I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:22)

And then unto Adam -

"Thou shalt not eat of it, cursed shall be the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.
24 Thorns also, and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
25 By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:23 - 25)

To both Adam and Eve, the Lord tells them that that part of life was "sorrow".  In my mind, sorrow would suggest trials, tribulations, pain, suffering, labor and work.  But what is interesting is what the Lord taught them -

"...cursed shall be the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:23)

I note that this sorrow was for "thy sake" or in other words, blessing, benefit, and growth.  Thus that became -

"...as gods, knowing good and evil."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:11)

I am reminded  of what Lehi taught his sons, summarizing -

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:11 - 12)

Sorrow then must be considered as good thing for Adam and Eve, not necessarily a punishment.

Moses 4

I had a thought concerning "Eve" this morning.  As Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden, He instructed -

"...of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:17)

And then afterwards -

"...God, blessed them, and said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:28)

First, the Lord told them that it agency was given to them and it was given to them the ability and opportunity to choose.  I don't believe they were ignorant but fully understood this commandment and the consequences.  I also believe they understood what it meant to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.

I believe that both Adam and Eve desired to be obedient to the commandments yet at the same time, I believe that they may have also desired to keep the second commandment.

I believe the Eve, even more than Adam, because of her "divine nature" had a longing, need, and desire for motherhood.  As Satan came to deceive her -

"...for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:6)

Knowing that he could not destroy anyone without Adam and Eve's having posterity, says to Eve -

"...Ye shall not surely die;
11 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:10 - 11)

That was a distinct lie that they would not die.  I believe Eve knew that it was a lie.  But in a real sense, I think she came to the conclusion that there would be no other way to have the joy of motherhood without eating of the fruit...which was true.  She righteously chose the option that men would be knowing the hardship and suffering that would be associated with this commitment.

Adam, being a righteous man also, learning of Eve's commitment that also -

"...he did eat."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:12)

This morning, I honor Eve in that she was willing to choose us other than a life of selfish ease in the Garden.

Moses 3

This morning I want to focus on two words "meet" and "cleave". 

In my opinion, the word "meet" means -

"to be equal to" and "to come together for a common purpose" as in "meet"ing of the minds.   After Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, the Father and the Son counciled -

"...the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten, that it was not good that the man should be alone; wherefore, I will make an help meet for him."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:18)

In other words, the woman as to be of help to Adam as 1) and equal, and 2) and as one he was to come together for a common purpose. 

The second word is "cleave".  Cleave means, not only  -

"to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly"  but also -

 "the act of splitting apart".

The Lord instructed -

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:24)

So not only is the man to adhere firmly to his wife but also seperate himself from all other relationships, which in my mind, that all other relationships should be of less importance.

Moses 3

As the Lord revealed the creation to Moses, He makes clear that the spirits of all men and as a matter of fact, the spirits of all other forms of life were created before the physical creation took place.  At the end of the 6th day, with the completion of the physical creation, He said -

"THUS the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:1)

Which means to me that at the end of the physical creation, "all the host" was created.  We know that we were not physically created at that point, but yet we were all created.  The Lord continues to explain -

"...every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:5) 

Even such that -

"...all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:7)

In modern revelation we learn that -

"...the spirit and the body are the soul of man."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:15)

The Lord told Moses -

"...I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:7)

Thus the combination of spirit and body.  This also applies to all other forms of life as the Lord explained to Moses that -

"...out of the ground made I, the Lord God, to grow every tree, naturally, that is pleasant to the sight of man; and man could behold it. And it became also a living soul. For it was spiritual in the day that I created it; for it remaineth in the sphere in which I, God, created it, yea, even all things which I prepared for the use of man..." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 3:9)

Thus all living things possess a soul...a body and spirit.

Moses 2

After everything was created on the earth, the Father now became involved where He instructed -

"...I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes 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.
27 And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:26 - 27)

I my mind, this is signficant in that "man" is literal  spirit offspring of Heavenly Parents.  We learn in modern proclamation -

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."  (The Family - A Proclamation to the World, The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

In referring to "man", I believe He is saying mankind including both men and women.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught -

“And the scripture says, “‘And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man [not a separate man, but a complete man, which is husband and wife] in our image, after our likeness; and it was so.’ (Moses 2:26.) What a beautiful partnership! Adam and Eve were married for eternity by the Lord.…

“‘Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam [Mr. And Mrs. Adam, I suppose, or Brother and Sister Adam], in the day when they were created.’ (Gen. 5:1–2.)

“This is a partnership. Then when they had created them in the image of God, to them was given the eternal command, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it’ (Gen. 1:28), and as they completed this magnificent creation, they looked it over and pronounced it ‘good, very good’—something that isn't to be improved upon by our modern intellectuals; the male to till the ground, to support the family, to give proper leadership; the woman to cooperate, to bear the children, and to rear and teach them. It was ‘good, very good.’

“And that's the way the Lord organized it. This wasn't an experiment. He knew what he was doing” (“The Blessings and Responsibilities of Womanhood,” Ensign, March 1976, page 71)

Moses 2

According to the revelation given to Moses, on the very first day -

"...God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.
4 And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness.
5 And I, God, called the light Day; and the darkness, I called Night; and this I did by the word of my power, and it was done as I spake; and the evening and the morning were the first day."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:3 - 5)

It becomes obvious upon further reading that this light was not the light of the Sun or the Moon.  In my mind, this light was the Light of Christ which light "is good" or goodness or truth -

"And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:11 - 12)

Which also is -

"...The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:13)

This light must have been in place on the first day to give life and govern all things including that which followed in the creation including the firmament and solar system for -

"...This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:7 - 9)

The light was called "day' because -

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:24)

It was given in the first day becasue -

"...the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:46)

And the absence of receiving such light is darkness or loss of light or truth for -

"...I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:25)

Amulek explained night and darkeness as -

"...I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:33)

Note that when there is the absence of the Light of Christ, it becomes night and darkness prevails.

Moses 2

In a revelation to Moses, the Lord instructed -

"...now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak."   (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:40)

Though it was revealed to Moses that -

"...worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:33)

...it was given to Moses to write the things concerning this earth.  Thus we received the doctrine of creation.  Creation does not necessarily mean to make something out of nothing, only to cause or make something new to exist (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).  Thus -

"...it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I reveal unto you concerning this heaven, and this earth; write the words which I speak. I am the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God; by mine Only Begotten I created these things; yea, in the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:1)

It is thus made clear that no matter what explanation or theory man may come up with, the Lord created heaven and earth including all forms of life.  And in doing so he explains -

"...and this I did by the word of my power, and it was done as I spake..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:5)

I believe this is the truth concerning the creation of heaven and earth.

Moses 1

As most people begin to read the Old Testament, they assume that Moses must have access to some record upon he re-writes the events.  The world is not aware that this history was obtained directly by revelation.

As the Prophet Joseph Smith proceeded with his translation of the Bible, the Lord gave him by revelation, a portion of what happend to Moses that has been lost for the Lord said to Moses -

"...now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto thee concerning this earth upon which thou standest; and thou shalt write the things which I shall speak.
41 And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught and take many of them from the book which thou shalt write, behold, I will raise up another like unto thee; and they shall be had again among the children of men—among as many as shall believe."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:40 - 41)

I specifically note why two reasons that Moses's experiences are not had amongst men.  The first being that men will esteem his writings as "naught".  We see this much today, as most educators consider his writings irrelevant and not according to what they consider is true science.  Thus many never come to understand these events.  Second, there has always been religious leaders that have removed doctrine that was not in accordance to their desired teachings and control.  Much of what was revealed was hard to understand to those without an eternal perspective.  It is deep stuff!  Not necessarily that which the missionaries would teach in their discussions.  This is why the Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"(These words were spoken unto Moses in the mount, the name of which shall not be known among the children of men. And now they are spoken unto you. Show them not unto any except them that believe. Even so. Amen.)  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:42)

I want to add to this blog a doctrine that I found interesting this morning.  As Moses -

"...lifted up his eyes unto heaven, being filled with the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son;
25 And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his glory again, for it was upon him..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:24 - 25)

Being  now  transfigured...and being more in line with the glory of God, Moses tells us, he -

"....cast his eyes and beheld the earth, yea, even all of it; and there was not a particle of it which he did not behold, discerning it by the spirit of God.
28 And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:27 - 28)

In the smallest of degree, Moses experienced the Godlike ability to comprehend and love each individual as we have such a difficult ability to understand.  God loves and cares for each of us and hears all our prayers.  The Lord then testifies -

"...all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:35)

I believe these things to be true.

Moses 1

Much like the Savior, as Moses was about to begin his ministration of Israel, having experienced the glory of God with an eternal perspective -

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

Satan is the father of lies, the great deceiver and conterfeiter. I think it is interesting that he called Moses "son of man" suggesting to me that he was trying to convince Moses that the focus is only this life, that he only came from man, and has no divine characeristics or potential.  Now having an eternal perspective, Moses answers -

"...Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?"  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:13)

Moses understand that he was offspring of Heavenly Parents, just like the Savior, even saying -

"...for God said unto me: Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:16)

So Moses's response to Satan was -

"...for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:15)

"And he also gave me commandments when he called unto me out of the burning bush, saying: Call upon God in the name of mine Only Begotten, and worship me.
18 And again Moses said: 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 1:17 - 18)

And then, upon three times in different words, Moses tells Satan -

"...Depart hence, Satan..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:18)

But Moses did not seem to have the power to get Satan to leave.  But Satan's true colors seem to come forth though as -

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)

And even -

"...Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:21)

But then we learn by what power and authority Satan has to obey  as -

"Moses received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only Begotten, depart hence, Satan.
22 And it came to pass that Satan cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and he departed hence, even from the presence of Moses, that he beheld him not."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:21 - 22)

What great doctrine is had as we study the scriptures.

Moses 1

On Monday, a little over two weeks ago, I blogged my remarks in a recent stake conference.  The main theme of those remarks was in regards to having a "high mountain" experience or seeing things from an eternal perspective or better said, God's perspective.

As Moses began a record on his revelations, he stated -

"THE words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:1)

Whether he literally was taken to a high mountain, or his mind was taken to a high mountain, I do not know, but Moses added that  -

"...he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:2)

In which we learn that one must be quickened or transfigured receiving a higher glory placed upon him or he would be "burned" or could not endure His presence.  It is in this revelation that the Savior told Moses -

"...I am without beginning of days or end of years..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:3)

Meaning, the Savior has always been and will be forever.  This follows the revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith -

"From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:4)

Being that we are spirit siblings of the Savior, it would follow that we are without beginning of days or end of years...and we are also the same. 

In this high mountain experience, the Lord says -

"...I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:4)

It is my opinion that he cannot show all his works because his works and word will continue forever...therefore he cannot show all his works.  From and eternal perspective it seems that when in time does not matter.

As we learn the plan of salvation as Moses receiving an eternal perspective, the tribulations of this life seem to become less and less significant.

Declaration 2

As we read the words of Abraham concerning his father and the false practices of his day, we learn and interesting fact concerning the priesthood, in that the -

"...king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth.
22 From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land.
23 The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden;
24 When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land.
25 Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal.
26 Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.
27 Now, Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:21 - 27)

I have no idea why Noah would not bless his son, Ham, with the blessing of the priesthood other than it was commanded of the Lord.  Old testament prophets were aware of this, but knew that the day would come that that blessing would come to the descendants of Ham.  It is now in our day, the day that was much anticipated for many generations, it was revealed -

"To Whom It May Concern:

1 On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
2 In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.
3 President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:
4 June 8, 1978

To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
5 Dear Brethren:
6 As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
7 Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
8 He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
9 We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
10 Sincerely yours,

SPENCER W. KIMBALL

N. ELDON TANNER

MARION G. ROMNEY

The First Presidency

11 Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
12 The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.

Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978."

(Doctrine and Covenants | Official Declaration 2:Heading - 12)

There are some that suggest that this came forth by political pressure.  Having been a member of the Church my whole life and knowing the firmnest of the Prophet and the Brethren, not being influenced in the lease by popular opinion, I know that this blessing came by sincere prayer, supplication, and revelation from the Lord.