SALVATION
Published by T h e C h u r c h of J e s u s C h r i s t of L a t t e r - d a y S a i n t s Salt L a k e C i t y , U t a h 1 9 7 8
SALVATION Whence? Why?
Whither?
N t h e m i d s t of t h e C h r i s t i a n w o r l d t h e r e a r e m a n y c o n f l i c t i n g t h e o r i e s in r e l a t i o n t o m a n ' s e x i s t e n c e h e r e a n d in t h e h e r e a f t e r ; a l s o as t o t h e d u t i e s he o w e s t o himself, t o his f e l l o w m a n , a n d t o his C r e a t o r . It is i n d i s p u t a b l e t h a t s o m e k n o w l e d g e of ( 1 ) w h e r e w e c a m e f r o m , (2) w h y w e are here, and (3) w h e r e w e g o after w e leave this p r o b a t i o n is e s s e n t i a l t o t h e e n j o y m e n t a n d w e l l - b e i n g of e a c h m e m b e r of t h e h u m a n family. In t h e f o l l o w i n g p a g e s w e briefly set f o r t h t h e L a t t e r - d a y S a i n t belief o n t h e s e p o i n t s . W h i l e t h e s e b e l i e f s m a y differ w i d e l y f r o m t h e a c c e p t e d ideas of t h e C h r i s t i a n w o r l d , m a y w e s u g g e s t t h a t t h e differe n c e is not s o m u c h b e t w e e n t h e C h r i s t i a n s e c t s a n d t h e L a t t e r - d a y S a i n t s as it is b e t w e e n t h o s e s e c t s a n d t h e B i b l e . T h i s is a f a c t for w h i c h w e a r e in n o s e n s e r e s p o n s i b l e , a n d a f a c t w e c a n n o t alter or c h a n g e , even were we disposed to do so. A t t h e o u t s e t of this i n v e s t i g a t i o n it is d e e m e d p r o p e r a n d a d v i s a b l e t o refer to a n o t h e r p o i n t , s o that w e m a y have a clear u n d e r s t a n d i n g . T h e point is: S i n c e r i t y of belief d o e s not in a n y w a y e s t a b l i s h the correctness of a principle. Only an u n i m p e a c h a b l e t e s t i m o n y c a n d o t h a t . M a n ' s belief d o e s not a f f e c t a p r i n c i p l e in t h e least. T h e w h o l e w o r l d m a y b e l i e v e a p r i n c i p l e , a n d it m a y be u n t r u e ; t h e w h o l e w o r l d m a y r e f u s e to b e l i e v e a p r i n c i p l e , a n d it m a y b e t r u e . T h e u n b e l i e f of t h e p e o p l e in N o a h ' s d a y d i d not s t a y t h e f l o o d ; t h e u n b e l i e f of t h e J e w s d i d not p r o v e J e s u s a n i m p o s t e r ; a n d t h e killing of t h e A p o s t l e s d i d not p r o v e t h e i r d o c t r i n e s f a l s e . T h e a s s a s s i n a t i o n of J o s e p h S m i t h , by itself, d o e s nof p r o v e t h e d i v i n e n a t u r e of his a u t h o r i t y ; n e i t h e r will t h e r e j e c t i o n of t h e d o c t r i n e s he t a u g h t p r o v e t h e m w r o n g . If t h e d o c t r i n e s a r e t r u e — e v e n t h o u g h he w a s slain a n d his followers mobbed, driven, and persecuted—in the e n d t h e y will rise t r i u m p h a n t o v e r e v e r y o b s t a c l e a n d g r o w s t r o n g e r a n d s t r o n g e r , as e r r o r g r o w s w e a k e r and weaker. 1
Premortal Life N p r e s e n t i n g t h e p r i n c i p l e s of p r e m o r t a l life, t h e first p r i n c i p l e s of t h e g o s p e l , a n d b a p t i s m f o r t h e 7 d e a d , w e will s i m p l y q u o t e s c r i p t u r e . W e s t a t e a g a i n t h a t if t h e r e is a n y d i f f e r e n c e of o p i n i o n , it is b e t w e e n t h e r e a d e r a n d holy w r i t . The Apostle Paul's Injunction to the T h e s s a l o n i a n s w a s " P r o v e all t h i n g s ; h o l d fast t h a t w h i c h is g o o d " (1 T h e s s a l o n i a n s 5 : 2 1 ) . The wise Solomon asserted that to judge a matter b e f o r e h e a r i n g it is not w i s e . (See P r o v e r b s 1 8 : 1 3 . ) Let us t h e n refer t o t h e w o r d of t h e L o r d , w h i c h is t h e e n d of a n y a r g u m e n t , a n d s e e w h a t t h e t e a c h ings of t h e g r e a t C r e a t o r a r e . S p e a k i n g to J o b , o n e of t h e a n c i e n t w r i t e r s of t h e B i b l e , he s a y s : " W h o Is this t h a t d a r k e n e t h c o u n s e l without knowledge?
by
words
" G i r d u p n o w t h y l o i n s like a m a n ; f o r I will d e m a n d of t h e e , a n d a n s w e r t h o u m e . " W h e r e w a s t t h o u w h e n I laid t h e f o u n d a t i o n s of the earth? . . . " W h e n t h e m o r n i n g s t a r s s a n g t o g e t h e r , a n d all t h e s o n s of G o d s h o u t e d f o r j o y ? " ( J o b 3 8 : 2 - 4 , 7 ) . Job certainly must have been s o m e w h e r e w h e n t h e " f o u n d a t i o n s of t h e e a r t h " w e r e laid, or w h y t h e question? There was doubtless more meaning to the w o r d s when all the sons of God shouted for joy t h a n o n e at first s u p p o s e s . T h e r e a d e r a s k s , " W h o w e r e t h e s e s o n s of G o d ? " L u k e , in listing t h e g e n e a l o g y of t h e h u m a n family, gives the necessary information on t h e s u b j e c t : " W h i c h w a s t h e s o n of E n o s , w h i c h w a s t h e s o n of S e t h , w h i c h w a s t h e s o n of A d a m , which was the son of God" ( L u k e 3 : 3 8 ; italics a d d e d ) . But let us t u r n t o a n o t h e r t e x t . O n e of t h e a n c i e n t writers says, " T h e n shall the dust return to the earth as It w a s : a n d t h e spirit s h a l l return u n t o G o d w h o g a v e i t " ( E c c l e s i a s t e s 1 2 : 7 ; italics a d d e d ) . H o w w o u l d it be p o s s i b l e t o r e t u r n t o a p l a c e , point, or l o c a l i t y t h a t w e h a d n e v e r v i s i t e d ? H o w c o u l d w e r e t u r n t o G o d u n l e s s w e h a d o n c e b e e n in his p r e s e n c e ? T h e l o g i c a l c o n c l u s i o n is u n a v o i d a b l e : to e n a b l e us t o return t o h i m , w e m u s t h a v e o n c e e n j o y e d his a s s o c i a t i o n , w h i c h m u s t h a v e b e e n in a premortal state, before w e b e c a m e c l o t h e d with this b o d y of f l e s h a n d b o n e s . Again, w e find that the Apostles must have had s o m e c o n c e p t i o n of p r e m o r t a l life, j u d g i n g f r o m t h e i r q u e s t i o n t o J e s u s : " M a s t e r , w h o d i d s i n , this m a n , o r his p a r e n t s , t h a t h e w a s b o r n b l i n d ? " ( J o h n 9 : 2 ) . 2
It is e v i d e n t t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n in t h e m i n d s of t h e A p o s t l e s w a s not w h e t h e r a m a n could sin p r e v i o u s t o his e x i s t e n c e in t h e f l e s h , but w h e t h e r t h i s p a r t i c u l a r m a n h a d s i n n e d or not. W r i t i n g to t h e H e b r e w s , Paul s a y s , " F u r t h e r m o r e w e h a v e h a d f a t h e r s of o u r f l e s h w h i c h c o r r e c t e d us, a n d w e g a v e t h e m r e v e r e n c e : s h a l l w e not m u c h r a t h e r be in s u b j e c t i o n u n t o t h e F a t h e r of s p i r i t s , a n d live?" (Hebrews 12:9). W e here gain the information as to w h o the sons of G o d w e r e w h o s h o u t e d f o r j o y in t h e b e g i n n i n g . W e a l s o l e a r n t h e r e a s o n w h y w e a d d r e s s h i m as " o u r Father, w h i c h art in h e a v e n " ( M a t t h e w 6 : 9 ) . T h i s is t o d i s t i n g u i s h h i m f r o m t h e f a t h e r of o u r e a r t h l y t a b e r n a c l e s . In o t h e r w o r d s , he is t h e F a t h e r of spirits in t h e s a m e s e n s e t h a t o u r e a r t h l y f a t h e r s a r e t h e f a t h e r s of o u r b o d i e s of f l e s h a n d b o n e s . N a t u r e of S p i r i t s % A 1 f l
J w
HEN death o c c u r s , w e bury the earthly body, which d e c o m p o s e s and mingles w i t h t h e e l e m e n t s s u r r o u n d i n g its p l a c e of d e p o s i t . B u t w h a t of t h e spirit, w h i c h " r e t u r n s u n t o G o d w h o gave it"? W h e n J e s u s a p p e a r e d t o his d i s c i p l e s after his resurrection, " t h e y w e r e terrified and affrighted, and s u p p o s e d that they had seen a spirit." B u t he c o r r e c t e d t h e m , s a y i n g , " H a n d l e m e , a n d s e e ; f o r a spirit h a t h not f l e s h a n d b o n e s , a s y e s e e me h a v e . " (See Luke 2 4 : 3 6 - 4 3 . ) F r o m t h e s e w o r d s w e m a y g a t h e r that m a n , w h i l e e x i s t i n g a s a spirit, w a s not c l o t h e d w i t h flesh a n d b o n e s , but n e v e r t h e l e s s e x i s t e d in t h e e x a c t s h a p e a n d f o r m t h a t he n o w p o s s e s s e s . He h a d e y e s t o s e e , e a r s t o hear, a n d m a n y o t h e r f a c u l t i e s w i t h w h i c h e a r t h l y m a n is e n d o w e d . A l s o he w a s d o u b t l e s s in p o s s e s s i o n of i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d m a n y q u a l i t i e s t h a t e n n o b l e m a n . He h a d t h e ability t o m o v e f r o m p l a c e t o p l a c e , t o i n c r e a s e in k n o w l e d g e , a n d t o p e r f o r m c e r t a i n d u t i e s t h a t he w a s c a l l e d u p o n t o d o in t h a t s p h e r e of a c t i o n . A n u n e m b o d i e d spirit is o n e t h a t h a s not y e t t a k e n u p o n itself a b o d y . A n e m b o d i e d spirit is o n e d w e l l i n g in t h e f l e s h . A d i s e m b o d i e d spirit is o n e t h a t h a s p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h i s s t a g e of e x i s t e n c e a n d h a s laid its b o d y in t h e g r a v e — t h e spirit a n d b o d y t o be f i n a l l y t a k e n u p a n d a g a i n u n i t e d , n e v e r m o r e t o be separated.
3
Foreordination
I
^
HE w o r d of f f i e L o r d t o J e r e m i a h w a s : " B e f o r e I f o r m e d t h e e in t h e belly I k n e w t h e e ; a n d b e f o r e t h o u earnest f o r t h o u t of t h e w o m b I s a n c t i f i e d thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nat i o n s " ( J e r e m i a h 1:5). T h i s is t h e s u r e w o r d of t h e L o r d r e l a t i n g t o o n e of t h e c h i l d r e n of m e n w h o w a s but a n e x a m p l e of t h e rest of m a n k i n d . In t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c a s e , t h e f a c t is m a d e k n o w n that for g o o d a n d s u f f i c i e n t r e a s o n s o u r c o m m o n Father in H e a v e n o r d a i n e d o n e of his c h i l d r e n to a c e r t a i n o f f i c e prior to s e n d i n g h i m d o w n upon the earth. H a v i n g g a i n e d t h e c o n f i d e n c e of his F a t h e r w h i l e in his first or p r e m o r t a l s t a t e , he w a s o r d a i n e d t o a h i g h a n d holy c a l l i n g p r e v i o u s t o his life u p o n t h e e a r t h . W e learn f r o m t h e s c r i p t u r e s t h a t t h i s c o n f i d e n c e w a s not m i s p l a c e d . W e l e a r n t h a t in h o n o r he filled his m i s s i o n a n d w a s t r u e to t h e t r u s t p l a c e d in h i m . He d i d not t u r n a w a y f r o m t h e line of d u t y , a l t h o u g h m a n y o b s t a c l e s w e r e p l a c e d in h i s w a y — o b s t a c l e s that w o u l d h a v e a p p a l l e d a less s t o u t heart. In r e v i e w i n g J e r e m i a h ' s life, t h e r e a d e r s h o u l d be c a u t i o u s not to c o n f u s e t h e p r i n c i p l e of f o r e o r d i n a t i o n w i t h t h e p r i n c i p l e of p r e d e s t i n a t i o n , f o r t h e r e is a b r o a d d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o . A m a n m a y be f o r e o r d a i n e d — s e t a p a r t or c o m m a n d e d t o d o a c e r t a i n w o r k — y e t he r e t a i n s his a g e n c y in t h e matter: he has t h e o p t i o n as t o w h e t h e r or not he will p e r f o r m t h e d u t y a s s i g n e d t o h i m . If a m a n w e r e p r e d e s t i n e d t o d o c e r t a i n w o r k , he w o u l d h a v e n o c h o i c e but t o d o t h a t w o r k . N o t h a v i n g a n y c h o i c e , he w o u l d not i n c u r t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r his o w n a c t i o n s , n o r c o u l d he c o n t r o l t h e m ; he w o u l d be c o n t r o l l e d by t h e p o w e r t h a t p r e d e s t i n e d h i m . W h i l e J e r e m i a h w a s f o r e o r d a i n e d t o be a p r o p h e t t o t h e n a t i o n s , t h e s c r i p t u r e s d o not s a y t h a t he w a s p r e d e s t i n e d t o fill f h e o f f i c e of a p r o p h e t . P r e m o r t a l Life of C h r i s t
T
HE p r i n c i p l e of p r e m o r t a l life is i l l u s t r a t e d p l a i n l y in t h e life of o u r Savior, w h o t h u s s p o k e t o t h e p e o p l e : " W h a t a n d if y e shall s e e t h e S o n of m a n a s c e n d u p w h e r e he w a s b e f o r e ? " ( J o h n 6 : 6 2 ) .
A g a i n , he s p o k e : " A n d n o m a n h a t h a s c e n d e d u p t o h e a v e n , but he t h a t c a m e d o w n f r o m h e a v e n " (John 3:13). T o all h u m a n a p p e a r a n c e s J e s u s r e s e m b l e d v e r y
4
m u c h t h e rest of t h e c h i l d r e n of o u r c o m m o n Father. The resemblance was so close that those around him failed to see any contrast between him and o r d i n a r y m e n . T h e y i n q u i r e d of e a c h o t h e r : " I s not t h i s t h e c a r p e n t e r ' s s o n ? is n o t his m o t h e r c a l l e d M a r y ? a n d his b r e t h r e n , J a m e s , a n d J o s e s , a n d Simon, and Judas?" (Matthew 13:55). Let us a s k o u r s e l v e s , " I s it s o difficult t o c o m p r e h e n d o u r o w n p r e m o r t a l life w h e n t h a t of J e s u s is s o plainly t a u g h t , a n d also t h a t of m a n y of t h e b i b l i c a l c h a r a c t e r s of w h o m w e r e a d ? " P a u l , t h e g r e a t a p o s t l e , s p e a k i n g of himself, s a y s , " I n h o p e of e t e r n a l life, w h i c h G o d , t h a t c a n n o t lie, promised before ttie world began" ( T i t u s 1:2; italics added). H e r e w a s a p r o m i s e of e t e r n a l life m a d e t o Paul " b e f o r e the world b e g a n " — c o n d i t i o n e d upon o b e d i e n c e , as w a s s a i d t o C a i n in f o r m e r t i m e s : " I f t h o u d o e s t w e l l , shalt t h o u not be a c c e p t e d ? " (Genesis 4:7). N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h i s p r o m i s e , Paul w a s u n d e r t h e n e c e s s i t y of p e r f o r m i n g c e r t a i n d u t i e s to e n a b l e h i m to claim the promise made. After being stricken with blindness on the w a y to Damascus, and hearing the v o i c e of t h e r i s e n R e d e e m e r , he w a s t o l d t o " a r i s e , a n d g o into t h e c i t y , a n d it shall be t o l d t h e e w h a t thou must d o " (Acts 9:6). A f t e r f a s t i n g a n d p r a y e r , he w a s v i s i t e d at t h e e n d of t h r e e d a y s by o n e A n a n i a s , w h o h a d b e e n c o m m a n d e d by t h e L o r d , in a v i s i o n , t o visit P a u l , a n d w a s f u r t h e r m o r e t o l d t h a t he w a s a " c h o s e n v e s s e l " or, in o t h e r w o r d s , o n e t o w h o m t h e L o r d h a d m a d e promises before the world began and w h o had a mission to perform before "Gentiles, a n d kings, and the c h i l d r e n of I s r a e l " ( A c t s 9 : 1 5 ) . A n a n i a s ' s q u e s t i o n w a s , " A n d n o w w h y tarriest t h o u ? a r i s e , a n d b e baptized, and w a s h away thy s i n s , c a l l i n g o n t h e n a m e of t h e L o r d " ( A c t s 2 2 : 1 6 ; italics a d d e d ) . M a n y c o u l d h a v e b e e n s e l e c t e d , but for t h e reader's consideration we have presented only a few of t h e b i b l i c a l e v i d e n c e s of m a n ' s p r e m o r f a l life. W e feel that t h o s e that have been a d v a n c e d here are sufficient to s h o w conclusively that the Latter-day S a i n t belief in this p r i n c i p l e is f o u n d e d u p o n holy scriptures. Their ideas only coincide with the p r o p h ets a n d s e r v a n t s of G o d in all a g e s w h o h a v e a l l u d e d to this subject. H a v i n g a n s w e r e d t h e q u e s t i o n of w h e r e w e c a m e f r o m , let us n o w c o n s i d e r w h y w e a r e h e r e .
5
A
Why We Are Here
w i s e C r e a t o r m u s t tiave h a d a g r e a t p u r p o s e in c r e a t i n g t h e e a r t h a n d in p l a c i n g his c h i l d r e n u p o n it t o p a s s t h r o u g h a t i m e of t e s t i n g . A k n o w l e d g e of t h e C r e a t o r ' s p u r p o s e e n a b l e s t h e h u m a n f a m i l y t o a c t w e l l t h e i r part. Let us e x a m ine w h a t he h a d in v i e w . O n e o b j e c t of m a n ' s e x i s t e n c e u p o n t h e e a r t h is t o o b t a i n a b o d y of f l e s h a n d b o n e s . It is n e c e s s a r y for m a n f o l e a r n by a c t u a l e x p e r i e n c e t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n g o o d a n d evil. A s G o d said of o u r first p a r e n t s , " B e h o l d , t h e m a n is b e c o m e as o n e of u s , t o k n o w g o o d a n d e v i l " (Genesis 3:22). W h e n m a n t a s t e s t h e bitter, it e n a b l e s h i m t o appreciate the sweet. W h e n a man teels the effects of s i c k n e s s , h e m o r e fully a p p r e c i a t e s t h e g r e a t b o o n of h e a l t h . B y f e e l i n g t h e e f f e c t s of p a i n he c a n e n j o y t h e i m m u n i t y t h e r e f r o m . He m u s t f e e l t h e i n f l u e n c e a n d p o w e r of d e a t h b e f o r e he c a n a p p r e c i a t e e t e r n a l life. He m u s t c o m p r e h e n d t h e e f f e c t s of sin b e f o r e he c a n e n j o y t h e rest p r o m i s e d t o t h e f a i t h f u l . M a n c a n g a i n m a n y e x p e r i e n c e s in t h e f l e s h f h a t he c a n n o t o t h e r w i s e o b t a i n . T h e r e a r e o r d i n a n c e s t o be p e r f o r m e d a n d e t e r n a l u n i o n s to be p e r f e c t e d ; in t h e w i s d o m of t h e g r e a t C r e a t o r t h e s e m u s t b e effected on the earth. A m o n g the main requirements g i v e n t o m a n d u r i n g his e x i s t e n c e u p o n t h e e a r t h a r e b a p t i s m for t h e r e m i s s i o n of s i n s a n d m a r r i a g e for e t e r n i t y . M a n ' s sole d u t y is not t o c a r e f o r h i m s e l f a l o n e , t o selfishly n e g l e c t his f e l l o w m e n a n d s e e k w o r d l y f a m e at o t h e r s ' e x p e n s e , but r a t h e r it is t o keep G o d ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d to love his fellowmen (see Ecclesiastes 12:13; Matthew 22:36-40). "Whatsoever ye w o u l d that men should d o to y o u , d o ye e v e n s o t o t h e m " ( M a t t h e w 7 : 1 2 ) . T h i s is t h e G o l d e n Rule, by w h i c h m e n s h o u l d be g o v e r n e d in t h i s life. In brief, a m a n h a s to p r e p a r e h i m s e l f for a f u t u r e e x a l t a t i o n in t h e e t e r n i t i e s t o c o m e . He is c a l l e d u p o n to " w o r k o u t [ h i s ] o w n s a l v a t i o n w i t h f e a r a n d trembling" (Philippians 2:12). T h e w o r k a m a n d o e s in t h i s life will i n f l u e n c e t h e life to c o m e . B y o b e d i e n c e t o t h e p r i n c i p l e s of t h e g o s p e l of J e s u s C h r i s t , he p r e p a r e s h i m s e l f f o r t h e g l o r i o u s e x a l t a t i o n h e l d in r e s e r v e f o r t h o s e w h o w o r s h i p G o d in spirit a n d t r u t h . A s J e s u s s a i d t o his apostles, "In my Father's house are many mansions: . . . I go to prepare a place for y o u " (John 14:2). 6
A wise Creator placed the human family on earth for a great purpose
H a v i n g l e a r n e d \A/hy w e a r e h e r e , let us n e x t e x a m i n e t h e n a t u r e of t h e d u t i e s w e a r e c a l l e d u p o n t o perform. Faith Jk m a n m u s t h a v e f a i t h in t h e u l t i m a t e result XJ| b e f o r e he c a n d i l i g e n t l y p e r f o r m a n y w o r k . # N o f a r m e r w o u l d p l a n t u n l e s s he e x p e c t e d t o r e a p ; no b u i l d e r w o u l d b u i l d u n l e s s he e x p e c t e d t o i n h a b i t ; no s p e c u l a t o r w o u l d invest u n l e s s he e x p e c t e d to i n c r e a s e his m e a n s ; no j o u r n e y w o u l d be a t t e m p t e d u n l e s s t h e r e e x i s t e d t h e h o p e of r e a c h ing t h e d e s t i n a t i o n . L i k e w i s e , t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d a r e o b e y e d o n l y by t h o s e w h o h a v e f a i t h t h a t b l e s s i n g s will f o l l o w t h e i r o b e d i e n c e . W h e n w e u n d e r s t a n d this idea, w e c a n c o m prehend the Apostle Paul's assertion to the H e b r e w s : " B u t w i t h o u t f a i t h it is i m p o s s i b l e to p l e a s e [ G o d ] : for he t h a t c o m e t h t o G o d m u s t b e l i e v e t h a t he is, a n d t h a t he is a r e w a r d e r of t h e m t h a t d i l i g e n t l y seek h i m " (Hebrews 11:6). W e f i n d t h e a c t i v e w o r k i n g s of t h e p r i n c i p l e of faith in t h e m a n y c a s e s of h e a l i n g p e r f o r m e d by o u r Savior. " T h y f a i t h h a t h m a d e t h e e w h o l e , " t h e S a v i o r oft e n said t o t h o s e he h e a l e d (fTlatthew 9 : 2 2 ; L u k e 17:19; 18:42). W e also find him speaking to the A p o s t l e s in t h e s t r o n g e s t t e r m s a b o u t t h e i r l a c k of faith. On one o c c a s i o n they c a m e to him with the q u e s t i o n " W h y c o u l d not w e c a s t h i m o u t ? " A n d J e s u s s a i d u n t o t h e m . B e c a u s e of y o u r u n b e l i e f : f o r verily I s a y u n t o y o u . If ye h a v e f a i t h as a g r a i n of m u s t a r d s e e d , y e shall s a y u n t o t h i s m o u n t a i n . R e m o v e h e n c e t o y o n d e r p l a c e ; a n d it shall r e m o v e ; a n d n o t h i n g shall be i m p o s s i b l e u n t o y o u " ( M a t t h e w 17:19-20). A n d a g a i n w e r e a d , " A n d he d i d not m a n y m i g h t y w o r k s t h e r e [in N a z a r e t h ] b e c a u s e of t h e i r u n b e l i e f " ( M a t t h e w 1 3 : 5 8 ) . In o t h e r w o r d s , t h e y h a d n o f a i t h in his c l a i m t o b e i n g t h e M e s s i a h ; c o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e y w e r e d e p r i v e d of t h e b l e s s i n g s t h a t fell t o t h o s e t h a t had faith. A n d men today are depriving themselves of g l o r i o u s b l e s s i n g s t h r o u g h t h e i r u n b e l i e f in t h e divine c a l l i n g of J o s e p h S m i t h , t h e P r o p h e t a n d seer. Faith and Signs
W
8
E often hear the same cry today that g r e e t e d t h e e a r s of J e s u s : " M a s t e r , w e w o u l d s e e a s i g n f r o m t h e e . B u t he a n -
s w e r e d a n d s a i d u n t o t h e m , A n evil a n d a d u l t e r o u s generation seeketh after a sign" (Matthew 12:38-39). W h a t w a s t r u e of t h e g e n e r a t i o n w a s t r u e of t h e i n d i v i d u a l ; w h a t w a s t r u e t h e n is t r u e n o w . T h i s p l a c e s s i g n s e e k e r s in a m o s t u n e n v i a b l e p o s i t i o n , but d o u b t l e s s w h e r e t h e y j u s t l y b e l o n g . Faith is not p r o d u c e d by s i g n s e e k i n g , but in t h e w o r d s of P a u l , " F a i t h c o m e t h b y h e a r i n g , a n d h e a r i n g by t h e w o r d of G o d " ( R o m a n s 1 0 : 1 7 ) . A f t e r t h e d e a t h a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n of J e s u s , he left t h i s test of f a i t h u p o n t h e r e c o r d , t o s e r v e as a g u i d e for all f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s : " A n d t h e s e s i g n s shall follow them that believe [ t h a t is, h a v e f a i t h ] ; In m y n a m e shall t h e y c a s t out devils; they shall speak with new t o n g u e s ; " T h e y s h a l l t a k e u p s e r p e n t s ; a n d if t h e y d r i n k a n y d e a d l y t h i n g , it shall not h u r t t h e m ; t h e y shall lay h a n d s o n t h e sick, a n d t h e y shall r e c o v e r " ( M a r k 1 6 : 1 7 - 1 8 ; italics a d d e d ) . B u t o n e s a y s , " W a s it not i n t e n d e d t h a t t h e s e gifts a n d b l e s s i n g s be l i m i t e d t o t h e d a y s of t h e A p o s t l e s , and to the Apostles themselves?" Read again—"shall follow t h e m that b e l i e v e " — a n d the p r e c e d i n g v e r s e r e a d s , " H e t h a t believeth a n d is b a p t i z e d shall be s a v e d " ( M a r k 1 6 : 1 6 ; italics a d d e d ) . If y o u limit t h e s i g n s f o l l o w i n g t h e believer t o t h e d a y s of t h e A p o s t l e s , y o u m u s t a l s o limit s a l v a t i o n t o t h a t d a y . B u t it is t o d a y as it w a s in t h e d a y of M o s e s . R e f e r r i n g t o t h a t t i m e , Paul w r o t e to t h e H e b r e w s ; " F o r u n t o us w a s t h e g o s p e l p r e a c h e d , as well as u n t o t h e m : but t h e w o r d p r e a c h e d d i d not profit t h e m , not b e i n g m i x e d w i t h f a i t h in t h e m t h a t h e a r d it" (Hebrews 4:2). T h e c u l t i v a t i o n of t h i s p r i n c i p l e of f a i t h is t h e first of o u r d u t i e s in t h i s life. T h e s e c o n d s t e p is repentance. Repentance I 1^ 
E P E N T , a n d turn y o u r s e l v e s f r o m all t r a n s g r e s s i o n s ; s o i n i q u i t y shall not be r u i n " ( E z e k i e l 1 8 : 3 0 ; italics a d d e d ) .
your your
" L e t t h e w i c k e d f o r s a k e his w a y " ( I s a i a h 5 5 : 7 ) . "Repent, . . . e v e r y o n e of y o u " ( A c t s 2 : 3 8 ; italics added). " E x c e p t y e r e p e n t , y e shall all l i k e w i s e p e r i s h " (Luke 13:3). W e u n d e r s t a n d t h a t r e p e n t a n c e d o e s not c o n s i s t of m o u r n i n g o v e r s i n s c o m m i t t e d , a n d t h e n r e p e a t i n g t h e s a m e sin or o n e e q u a l l y b a d . Ezekiel m e a n t for the people to c e a s e f r o m d o i n g w r o n g , to stop their 9
evil p r a c t i c e s , a n d t o w a l k in t h e teousness, virtue, and true holiness.
path
of
righ-
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to s a l v a t i o n not to be r e p e n t e d of: but t h e s o r r o w of t h e w o r l d w o r k e t h d e a t h " (2 C o r i n t h i a n s 7 : 1 0 ) . W e b e l i e v e t h a t t h e " s o r r o w of t h e w o r l d " r e f e r r e d t o in t h i s s c r i p t u r e is t h e p r a c t i c e of c r y i n g , groaning, and moaning over our w r o n g d o i n g s , a n d then continuing the same practices. T h e t h i r d s t e p f o r m a n t o t a k e in t h i s life to s e c u r e s a l v a t i o n in t h e e t e r n a l w o r l d is b a p t i s m . Baptism E t h a t b e l i e v e t h [that is, he t h a t h a t h f a i t h ] a n d * is b a p t i z e d shall be s a v e d " ( M a r k 1 6 : 1 6 ) . I T h i s w a s t h e e m p h a t i c a s s e r t i o n of o u r Savior. A g a i n w e f i n d t h a t m a n c a m e u n d e r c o n d e m n a t i o n by r e f u s i n g o b e d i e n c e t o t h i s c o m m a n d m e n t : " B u t the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of G o d a g a i n s t t h e m s e l v e s , b e i n g not b a p t i z e d of h i m " (Luke 7:30). S o t h e i n h a b i t a n t s of t h e w o r l d of t o d a y will in t h e end find themselves under condemnation for r e f u s i n g t o o b e y t h i s p r i n c i p l e of t h e g o s p e l . " E x c e p t a m a n be b o r n of w a t e r a n d of t h e Spirit, he c a n n o t enter into t h e k i n g d o m of G o d " ( J o h n 3 : 5 ) . Paul, w r i f i n g to t h e H e b r e w s , s a y s , " T h e r e f o r e leaving t h e p r i n c i p l e s of t h e d o c t r i n e of C h r i s t , let us g o o n u n t o p e r f e c t i o n ; not l a y i n g a g a i n t h e f o u n d a t i o n of r e p e n t a n c e f r o m d e a d w o r k s , a n d of f a i t h t o w a r d G o d , Of t h e doctrine of baptisms, a n d of l a y i n g o n of h a n d s " ( H e b r e w s 6 : 1 - 2 ; italics a d d e d ) . Here a r e f o u r p r i n c i p l e s — a l l c l a s s e d t o g e t h e r , all e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t , all e q u a l l y n e c e s s a r y , a n d all r e q u i r e d at o u r h a n d s by t h o s e f i x e d a n d e t e r n a l l a w s of t r u t h a n d j u s t i c e by w h i c h t h e w o r l d s a r e g o v e r n e d a n d by w h i c h w e m a y r e t u r n b a c k into t h e p r e s e n c e of G o d a n d d w e l l w i t h t h e j u s t a n d t r u e a n d p u r e of all a g e s . T h e f o u r t h s t e p n e c e s s a r y f o r m a n t o t a k e w h i l e in this state of p r o b a t i o n is to r e c e i v e t h e H o l y G h o s t b y the laying o n of h a n d s . T h e Laying o n of H a n d s HIS p r i n c i p l e , to a g r e a t e x t e n t i g n o r e d by t h e C h r i s t i a n w o r l d , is p l a i n l y t a u g h t in t h e scriptures. Peter a n d his b r e t h r e n of f h e T w e l v e A p o s t l e s h a d d o u b t l e s s all b e e n b a p t i z e d , a n d e n d e a v o r e d t o l e a d holy lives d u r i n g t h e i r a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h J e s u s . Yet w e 10
f i n d C t i r i s t , j u s t p r e v i o u s t o tiis a s c e n s i o n t o h e a v e n , t e l l i n g t h e m , " B e h o l d , I s e n d t h e p r o m i s e of m y F a t h e r u p o n y o u : b u t t a r r y ye in t h e c i t y of J e r u s a l e m , until y e be e n d u e d w i t h p o w e r f r o m o n h i g h . A n d he led t h e m out a s far as t o B e t h a n y , a n d he lifted up fiis fiands, a n d b l e s s e d t h e m " ( L u k e 2 4 : 4 9 - 5 0 ; italics added). A n d w e f i n d a still f u r t h e r e x p l a n a t i o n of t h e m a n n e r of o b t a i n i n g this gift a n d b l e s s i n g in t h e A c t s of t h e A p o s t l e s , w h e r e he c o m m a n d e d t h e m " t h a t t h e y s h o u l d not d e p a r t f r o m J e r u s a l e m , but w a i t for t h e p r o m i s e of t h e F a t h e r , w h i c h , s a i t h he, y e h a v e h e a r d of m e . For J o h n t r u l y b a p t i z e d w i t h w a t e r ; but y e shall be baptized with the ffoly Ghost not many days hence" ( A c t s 1 : 4 - 5 ; italics a d d e d ) . T u r n i n g t o t h e a c c o u n t of t h e m i n i s t r y of Philip in S a m a r i a , w e l e a r n t h a t , after t h e S a m a r i t a n s h a d e x e r c i s e d faith s u f f i c i e n t t o c a u s e t h e m t o repent, t h e y h a d b e e n baptized u n d e r t h e h a n d s of P h i l i p . "Now w h e n t h e a p o s t l e s w h i c h w e r e at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the w o r d of G o d , t h e y s e n t u n t o t h e m Peter a n d J o h n : " W h o , w h e n they were c o m e d o w n , prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: " ( F o r as yet h e w a s f a l l e n u p o n n o n e of t h e m : o n l y t h e y w e r e b a p t i z e d in t h e n a m e of t h e L o r d Jesus.) " T h e n laid they their hands on them, a n d t h e y r e ceived the Holy G h o s t " (Acts 8 : 1 4 - 1 7 ; italics added). W e a l s o c a l l a t t e n t i o n t o t h e a c c o u n t of P a u l ' s visit t o t h e b a p t i z e d S a i n t s of E p h e s u s . He i n q u i r e d of t h e m ; " H a v e y e r e c e i v e d t h e H o l y G h o s t s i n c e ye b e lieved? A n d t h e y s a i d u n t o h i m . W e h a v e not so m u c h a s h e a r d w h e t h e r t h e r e be a n y H o l y G h o s t . . . . T h e y w e r e b a p t i z e d in t h e n a m e of t h e L o r d J e s u s . A n d w h e n Paul h a d laid his hands u p o n t h e m , t h e Holy Ghost c a m e o n t h e m ; a n d they spake with t o n g u e s , a n d p r o p h e s i e d " ( A c t s 1 9 : 2 - 6 ; italics added). S u f f i c i e n t h a s b e e n said t o c l e a r l y e s t a b l i s h t h e f a c t t h a t t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t w a s f o r m e r l y o b t a i n e d by t h e l a y i n g o n of h a n d s b y t h o s e w h o h e l d the authority to d o so. N o w h e r e d o we find that the o r d e r f o r m e r l y laid d o w n h a s b e e n s u p p l a n t e d or a n n u l l e d . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e A p o s t l e s s p o k e in t h e s t r o n g e s t t e r m s a g a i n s t a n y i n n o v a t i o n in t h e e s t a b lished f o r m s that Jesus taught t h e m . P a u l , w r i t i n g t o t h e G a l a t l a n s , s p e a k s of t h o s e w h o " w o u l d pervert the gospel"—doubtless teaching s u c h t h i n g s a s t h e l a y i n g o n of h a n d s w a s not n e c e s 11
'
sary or else t h a t it w a s d o n e a w a y w i t h — a n d s a y s , " B u t t h o u g h w e , or a n a n g e l f r o m h e a v e n , p r e a c h any other gospel unto y o u than that w h i c h w e have p r e a c h e d u n t o y o u , let h i m be a c c u r s e d " ( G a l a t i a n s 1:6-8). W e h a v e e x a m i n e d t h e f o u r t h s t e p in m a n ' s a d v a n c e m e n t in t h e p r o b a t i o n in w h i c h w e a r e n o w living, a n d in t h e w o r d s of o u r S a v i o r , " H e t h a t e n t e r e t h not by t h e d o o r i n t o t h e s h e e p f o l d , but c l i m b e t h u p s o m e o t h e r w a y , t h e s a m e is a thief a n d a robber" (John 10:1). We have t r a c e d m a n f r o m a premortal state, w h e r e , b e f o r e this w o r l d b e g a n , h e d w e l t in t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e Father a n d of o u r e l d e r b r o t h e r , J e s u s , a n d m i n g l e d w i t h t h e spirits w h o h a v e or will c o m e into this w o r l d , t h r o u g h his m o r t a l p r o b a t i o n . M a n ' s d i v i n e o r i g i n is b e a u t i f u l l y e x p r e s s e d Eliza R. S n o w in o n e of t h e s o n g s of Z i o n : O My
by
Father
O m y Father, t h o u t h a t d w e l l e s t In the h i g h a n d g l o r i o u s p l a c e . W h e n shall I r e g a i n t h y p r e s e n c e . A n d again behold thy face? In t h y holy h a b i t a t i o n . Did m y spirit o n c e r e s i d e ? In m y first p r i m e v a l c h i l d h o o d , W a s I n u r t u r e d near t h y s i d e ? For a w i s e a n d g l o r i o u s p u r p o s e T h o u hast p l a c e d m e h e r e o n e a r t h . A n d withheld the recollection Of m y f o r m e r f r i e n d s a n d b i r t h . Yet o f t t i m e s a s e c r e t s o m e t h i n g Whispered, " Y o u ' r e a stranger h e r e " ; A n d I felt t h a t I h a d w a n d e r e d From a more exalted sphere. {Hymns, T h e C h u r c h of J e s u s C h r i s f of Saints, n o . 1 3 9 . )
Latter-day
T h i s is c e r t a i n l y a g r a n d e r a n d n o b l e r c o n c e p t i o n of m a n ' s o r i g i n t h a n that of s o m e p h i l o s o p h e r s , w h o advocate the idea that m a n evolved from a lower scale. H a v i n g d e s c r i b e d t h e n a t u r e of t h e d u t i e s ( h a v e faith in G o d a n d his p r o m i s e s , r e p e n t of s i n s , be b a p t i z e d f o r t h e r e m i s s i o n of s i n s , a n d r e c e i v e t h e laying o n of h a n d s f o r t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t ) t h a t m a n m u s t p e r f o r m in this life t o lay a f o u n d a t i o n of f u t u r e e x a l t a t i o n , w e n o w t u r n t o t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of man's future.
12
Future Existence E G A R D I N G t h e s u b j e c t of a f u t u r e e x i s t e n c e , t h e r e is a g r e a t d i v e r s i t y of o p i n i o n , a n d f r o m time to time, almost every possible conjecture h a s h e l d t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e h u m a n f a m i l y . J u d g i n g by t h e a c c e p t e d c r e e d of t h e C h r i s t i a n w o r l d , t h e r e is a n a l m o s t u n i v e r s a l belief in f u t u r e p u n i s h m e n t . T h e f e a r of f u t u r e p u n i s h m e n t is u s e d as a m i g h t y p o w e r t o i n f l u e n c e t h e m i n d of m a n in a r e l i g i o u s s e n s e . T h e f e a r f u l h o r r o r s of t h e n e v e r - e n d i n g p u n i s h m e n t of t h e g u i l t y a r e p o r t r a y e d in t h e liveliest c o l o r s f r o m C h r i s t i a n p u l p i t s . T h e h o r r o r s are s o c l e a r l y d e f i n e d t h a t in m a n y i n s t a n c e s t h e love a n d j u s t i c e of G o d a r e losf in t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e p u n i s h m e n t he inflicts, not s o m u c h u p o n b e l i e v e r s as u p o n t h o s e w h o reject the c r e e d s a n d discipline w h e r e b y men seek to know G o d . Let t h e r e a d e r lay a s i d e p r e c o n c e i v e d n o t i o n s , t r a d i t i o n , a n d p r e j u d i c e , a n d e x a m i n e this s u b j e c t with a desire to know the truth. W e shall refer a g a i n t o holy s c r i p t u r e s a n d ask for the reader's candid attention to the proofs we place before him. If w e h a d f h e h i s t o r y of t w o p e r s o n s — o n e g o o d a n d o n e b a d — a f t e r t h e y left t h e e a r t h , or laid d o w n t h e i r b o d i e s in d e a t h , it w o u l d s e r v e a s a g u i d e t o t h e d e s t i n y of t h e w h o l e h u m a n f a m i l y . F o r t u n a t e l y t h e r e is s u c h a r e c o r d , a n d by it w e c a n d e t e r m i n e t h i s a l l important question. F e w d i s p u t e t h e a s s e r t i o n t h a t J e s u s of N a z a r e t h w a s appropriately t e r m e d " t h e Just O n e , " a pure and holy person. T h e c o n f e s s i o n of g u i l t by o n e of t h e m e n w h o w e r e c r u c i f i e d b e s i d e J e s u s is t e s t i m o n y e n o u g h t o c o n v i c t h i m of b e i n g a b a d m a n . " W e r e c e i v e t h e d u e r e w a r d of o u r d e e d s : but t h i s m a n h a t h d o n e n o t h i n g a m i s s " ( L u k e 2 3 : 4 1 ) . T h e s e w e r e t h e w o r d s of t h e malefactor, admitting that death was the proper penalty for t h e m a n y c r i m e s of w h i c h he w a s g u i l t y . T h e s e t w o p e r s o n s w e r e b o r n , lived a c e r t a i n n u m b e r of y e a r s u p o n t h e e a r t h , a n d t h e n laid d o w n t h e i r lives, t h e i r b o d i e s b e c o m i n g c o l d a n d i n a n i m a t e in d e a t h ; w h i l e t h e i r s p i r i t s , f r e e d f r o m t h e i r e a r t h l y t e n e m e n t s , p a s s e d i n t o a n o t h e r s t a t e of e x i s t e n c e , l e a v i n g t h e i r p h y s i c a l r e m a i n s t o be c a r e d for in f h e o r d i n a r y rites of b u r i a l . W h i l e s u f f e r i n g t h e a g o n i e s of c r u c i f i x i o n , t h e s e t w o c a r r i e d o n a c o n v e r s a t i o n t h a t will s e r v e o u r p u r p o s e in o p e n i n g a n i n v e s t i g a t i o n : " A n d he s a i d u n t o
13
Jesus, Lord, r e m e m b e r me w h e n thou c o m e s t into t h y k i n g d o m . A n d J e s u s s a i d u n t o h i m . Verily I s a y u n t o t h e e . T o d a y shalt t h o u be w i t h m e in p a r a d i s e " (Luke 2 3 : 4 2 - 4 3 ) . The thief's request was so favorably received that C h r i s t p r o m i s e d h i m t h a t he c o u l d a c c o m p a n y h i m t o a p l a c e t h a t he d e s i g n a t e d as p a r a d i s e . He c o u l d not h a v e c o n s i s t e n t l y g r a n t e d t h e thief t h e p r i v i l e g e of e n t e r i n g into his k i n g d o m , w h e n he h a d a l r e a d y e x p l a i n e d to N i c o d e m u s t h a t " e x c e p t a m a n be b o r n of w a t e r [ b a p t i z e d ] a n d of t h e Spirit [ r e c e i v e t h e l a y i n g o n of h a n d s f o r t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t ] , he c a n n o t e n t e r i n t o t h e k i n g d o m of G o d " ( J o h n 3 : 5 ) . The thief, not having a t t e n d e d to these o r d i n a n c e s , c o u l d lay n o c l a i m t o t h a t p r i v i l e g e ; but s a y s J e s u s , " T o d a y shalt t h o u be w i t h m e in paradise." W e a r e a w a r e t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y of t h o s e w h o b e lieve t h e Bible a r e of t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h e thief w a s p e r m i t t e d t o e n t e r h e a v e n a n d e n j o y t h e p r e s e n c e of G o d ; but is this i d e a a c o r r e c t o n e ? Let us c a n d i d l y e x a m i n e it, for o n it h a n g s a g r e a t p r i n c i p l e of t r u t h . Christ Visits the Spirit World I FTER t h e b o d y of J e s u s h a d lain in t h e t o m b ^ f o r t h r e e d a y s , t h e spirit a g a i n e n t e r e d i n t o t. % h i s body. The angels rolled the stone a w a y f r o m t h e m o u t h of t h e s e p u l c h e r , a n d t h e r e s u r r e c t e d R e d e e m e r of t h e w o r l d w a l k e d f o r t h , c l o t h e d w i t h a n i m m o r t a l b o d y of f l e s h a n d b o n e s . Mary Magdalene, w h o s e e m e d to have s o m e special interest in t h e Savior, c a m e e a r l y t o t h e t o m b , a n d w e e p i n g , d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t h e b o d y of t h e M a s t e r w a s not t h e r e . A v o i c e s p a k e t o her, s a y i n g , " M a r y . S h e t u r n e d herself, a n d s a i t h u n t o h i m , R a b b o n i ; w h i c h is t o say. M a s t e r . " J e s u s saith u n t o her. T o u c h m e not; f o r / am not yet ascended to my Fattier: but g o t o m y b r e t h r e n , a n d say u n t o t h e m , I a s c e n d u n t o m y F a t h e r , a n d y o u r Father; a n d t o m y G o d , a n d y o u r G o d ' ( J o h n 2 0 : 1 6 - 1 7 ; italics a d d e d ) . Here Jesus has d e c l a r e d that d u r i n g the three d a y s i m m e d i a t e l y s u b s e q u e n t t o his c r u c i f i x i o n , w h i l e his b o d y lay in t h e t o m b , his spirit d i d not g o into h e a v e n or t o t h e p r e s e n c e of his F a t h e r . L o g i c a l l y , It m u s t f o l l o w t h a t n e i t h e r d i d t h e t h i e f ' s spirit. T h e g e n erally a c c e p t e d i d e a , t h e r e f o r e , of t h e thief b e i n g s a v e d m u s t i n e v i t a b l y fall. J e s u s a s s e r t e d t h a t " t o d a y Shalt t h o u be w i t h m e in p a r a d i s e , " a n d u p o n his
14
he resurrected Redeemer walked forth, clothed with an immortal body
r e t u r n t o e a r t h he i n f o r m e d IVIary t h a t he h a d not a s c e n d e d t o his F a t h e r . T h e q u e s t i o n n a t u r a l l y a r i s e s : W h e r e h a d he b e e n d u r i n g t h e s e t h r e e d a y s ? W e a r e not left in d o u b t u p o n this p o i n t ; s c r i p t u r e p l a i n l y p o i n t s out t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e d u t i e s he w a s c a l l e d u p o n to p e r f o r m w h i l e his b o d y r e s t e d in p e a c e in t h e n e w l y m a d e t o m b of J o s e p h . J e s u s h a d t r a n s f e r r e d t h e k e y s of t h e k i n g d o m of h e a v e n t o Peter, w h o a l s o s t o o d at t h e h e a d of t h e T w e l v e A p o s t l e s . He w o u l d c e r t a i n l y be a c c e p t e d as a c o m p e t e n t w i t n e s s in t h i s m a t t e r . By t u r n i n g to Peter's epistles we gain this information: " F o r C h r i s t a l s o h a t h o n c e s u f f e r e d for sins, t h e j u s t for t h e u n j u s t , t h a t he m i g h t b r i n g us to G o d , b e i n g put t o d e a t h in t h e f l e s h , but q u i c k e n e d by t h e Spirit: B y w h i c h a l s o he w e n t a n d p r e a c h e d u n t o t h e s p i r i t s in p r i s o n " (1 Peter 3 : 1 8 - 1 9 ) . H e r e w e h a v e a n a c c o u n t of w h a t C h r i s t w a s doing during the three days' absence from the body: p r e a c h i n g in t h e spirit w o r l d . W e a l s o h a v e a c l e a r e x p l a n a t i o n a s t o w h e r e t h e thief w e n t . It w a s t o a spirit p r i s o n w h e r e he w o u l d h a v e a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o h e a r t h e g o s p e l of d e l i v e r a n c e p r e a c h e d t o t h e captive spirits, " w h i c h s o m e t i m e were disobedient, w h e n o n c e t h e l o n g s u f f e r i n g of G o d w a i t e d in t h e d a y s of N o a h " (1 Peter 3 : 2 0 ) . W e n o w u n d e r s t a n d w h a t Isaiah, t h e p r o p h e t , m e a n t w h e n , s p e a k i n g of J e s u s , he s a y s , " T h a t t h o u mayest say to the prisoners. G o f o r t h " (Isaiah 4 9 : 9 ) . A n d a g a i n : " H e h a t h s e n t m e t o b i n d up t h e b r o k e n h e a r t e d , to p r o c l a i m liberty to t h e c a p t i v e s , a n d t h e o p e n i n g of t h e p r i s o n t o t h e m t h a t are b o u n d " (Isaiah 61:1). A n d a g a i n : " T o o p e n t h e b l i n d e y e s , t o b r i n g out t h e p r i s o n e r s f r o m t h e p r i s o n , a n d t h e m t h a t sit in d a r k n e s s o u t of t h e p r i s o n h o u s e " (Isaiah 4 2 : 7 ) . How appropriately do these passages coincide w i t h a n d s u p p o r t t h e a s s e r t i o n of Peter relative t o J e s u s p r e a c h i n g in t h e spirit w o r l d . T h e s e w e r e m e n w h o in t h e d a y s of t h e f l o o d f a i l e d t o o b e y t h e c o m m a n d m e n t s of G o d a n d for t w o t h o u s a n d y e a r s h a d s u f f e r e d t h e p e n a l t y of t h e i r w r o n g d o i n g a n d w h o had been fulfilling the principle so clearly e n u n c i a t e d by o u r S a v i o r w h e n he s a i d , " V e r i l y I s a y u n t o t h e e . T h o u shalt by n o m e a n s c o m e o u t t h e n c e , till t h o u hast p a i d t h e u t t e r m o s t f a r t h i n g " (IVIatthew 5 : 2 6 ) . " A n d t h a t s e r v a n t , w h i c h k n e w his l o r d ' s will, a n d p r e p a r e d not himself, n e i f h e r d i d a c c o r d i n g t o his w i l l , s h a l l be b e a t e n w i t h m a n y s t r i p e s .
17
"But
tie t t i a t k n e w n o t , a n d d i d c o m m i t
ttiings
w o r t t i y of s t r i p e s , stiaii be b e a t e n w i t t i f e w s t r i p e s " (Luke 12:47-48). Gospel Preached to the Dead HESE l o n g - s u f f e r i n g s p i r i t s , w t i o t i a d b e e n field in c o n f i n e m e n t , m u s t t i a v e r e c e i v e d w i t f i g r e a t I joy tfie everlasting g o s p e l . Ttirougti ttie gospel ttie prison doors c o u l d be o p e n e d a n d the obedient spirits c o u l d be d e l i v e r e d f r o m t h e g r a s p of L u c i f e r , t h e s o n of t h e m o r n i n g , w h o is a p p r o p r i a t e l y d e s c r i b e d as o n e w h o " m a d e t h e e a r t h to t r e m b l e , t h a t did shake kingdoms; " T h a t made the w o r l d as a wilderness, and d e s t r o y e d the cities thereof; that o p e n e d not t h e h o u s e of his p r i s o n e r s " ( I s a i a h 14:16-17). The Creator has o r d a i n e d a g r a n d a n d glorious p l a n of s a l v a t i o n for his c h i l d r e n , a p l a n t h a t r e a c h e s from eternity to eternity and covers every emerg e n c y . It g u i d e s a n d d i r e c t s t h e i r f o o t s t e p s w h i l e in a premortal state, t e a c h e s t h e m while u p o n the e a r t h , a n d e x t e n d s b e y o n d t h e g r a v e i n t o t h e spirit w o r l d . In this latter s t a t e , t h e i r h e a r t s r e j o i c e a n d g l a d d e n u n d e r t h e S a v i o r ' s b e n i g n i n f l u e n c e . T h e y g r o w a n d Inc r e a s e in m i g h t a n d m a j e s t y , p o w e r a n d g l o r y , a s t h e a g e s roll by, until t h e I n s p i r e d w o r d s of o u r d i v i n e M a s t e r be f u l f i l l e d : " E v e r y k n e e s h a l l b o w . . . , a n d every tongue c o n f e s s " ( R o m a n s 14:11). Well might Jesus say to the Apostles just previous t o his d e a t h : " V e r i l y , verily, I s a y u n t o y o u , T h e h o u r is c o m i n g , a n d n o w is, w h e n t h e d e a d s h a l l h e a r t h e v o i c e of t h e S o n of G o d : a n d t h e y t h a t h e a r s h a l l live. . . . Marvel not at t h i s : for t h e h o u r is c o m i n g , in t h e w h i c h all t h a t a r e in t h e g r a v e s s h a l l h e a r his v o i c e " (John 5:25, 28). T u r n i n g a g a i n t o t h e e p i s t l e of Peter, w e f i n d t h i s a s s e r t i o n : " [ Y o u ] s h a l l g i v e a c c o u n t t o h i m t h a t is r e a d y t o j u d g e t h e q u i c k a n d t h e d e a d . For f o r this cause w a s the gospel p r e a c h e d also to t h e m that are d e a d , that t h e y m i g h t be j u d g e d a c c o r d i n g t o m e n in t h e f l e s h , b u t live a c c o r d i n g t o G o d in t h e s p i r i t " (1 Peter 4 : 5 - 6 ) .
O
F o r g i v e n e s s of S i n s
N one occasion, w h e n explaining the g o s p e l to t h e A p o s t l e s , J e s u s said, "Whosoever speaketh a word against the S o n of m a n , it shall b e f o r g i v e n h i m : but w h o s o e v e r s p e a k e t h a g a i n s t t h e H o l y G h o s t , it shall not b e f o r g i v e n h i m , neither in t h i s w o r l d , n e i t h e r in t h e w o r l d to c o m e " (Matthew 12:32).
18
T h i s e x p l a i n s t h a t t h e r e is a c l a s s of s i n s fhat c a n b e f o r g i v e n in t h i s w o r l d a n d a c l a s s t h a t c a n n o t ; a l s o t h a t t h e r e is a c l a s s of sins t h a t c a n be f o r g i v e n in t h e w o r l d t o c o m e a n d a c l a s s that c a n n o t . Peter, s p e a k i n g of t h e p a t r i a r c h D a v i d , s a y s , " F o r D a v i d is not a s c e n d e d into t h e h e a v e n s " ( A c t s 2 : 3 4 ) . B u t D a v i d h i m s e l f , k n o w i n g full w e l l t h a t t h e m e r c y of t h e L o r d e n d u r e t h f o r e v e r , s a y s , " F o r t h o u w i l t not leave m y s o u l in h e l l " ( P s a l m 1 6 : 1 0 ) . If t h e p r e s e n t g e n e r a t i o n d e s i r e s t o k n o w w h a t will b e t h e result of t h e i r d i s o b e d i e n c e t o t h e p r i n c i p l e s of t h e g o s p e l a n d t h e i r c o n t e n d i n g a g a i n s t t h e serv a n t s of G o d w h o p r o c l a i m t h o s e p r i n c i p l e s , let t h e m r e a d w h a t Isaiah s a y s : " T h e e a r t h shall reel t o a n d f r o like a d r u n k a r d , a n d shall b e r e m o v e d like a c o t t a g e ; . . . A n d it shall c o m e t o p a s s In that d a y , t h a t t h e L o r d shall p u n i s h t h e host of t h e h i g h o n e s t h a t a r e o n h i g h , a n d t h e k i n g s of t h e e a r t h u p o n t h e e a r t h . A n d t h e y shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up In the prison, and after many days shall they be visited" ( I s a i a h 2 4 : 2 0 - 2 2 ; italics a d d e d ) . In a c c o r d a n c e w i t h d i v i n e l a w , m e n a r e j u d g e d "according to their works" ( R e v e l a t i o n 2 0 : 1 3 ; italics added). T h e L o r d will not i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y c o n s i g n all c l a s s e s of s i n n e r s t o t h e s a m e p u n i s h m e n t , t h e i r p u n i s h m e n t t o c o n t i n u e f o r e v e r . T h e j u d g m e n t will be m e t e d o u t a c c o r d i n g t o m e n ' s w o r k s , s o m e m e n r e c e i v i n g m a n y s t r i p e s a n d s o m e but f e w . W o u l d it n o t be a m o c k e r y of j u s t i c e if a j u d g e , p r e s i d i n g o v e r o n e of o u r o r d i n a r y c o u r t s , s h o u l d a w a r d the same punishment to every criminal brought before him? " I f y e t h e n , b e i n g e v i l , k n o w h o w t o give gifts u n t o y o u r c h i l d r e n , h o w m u c h m o r e shall F a t h e r w h i c h is in h e a v e n give g o o d t h i n g s t h e m that ask h i m ? " (Matthew 7:11). C e r t a i n l y t h e law of p o o r , w e a k , m o r t a l m a n s u p e r i o r t o t h a t of t h e J u d g e of all.
good your unto is not
Paul b e a u t i f u l l y a n d a p t l y e x p r e s s e d t h e p r i n c i p l e in w r i t i n g t o t h e C o r i n t h i a n s : "If in t h i s life o n l y w e h a v e h o p e in C h r i s t , w e a r e of all m e n m o s t m i s e r a b l e " (1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 5 : 1 9 ) . K n o w i n g that the gospel w o u l d be preached t h e s p i r i t s in p r i s o n , a n d t h a t u n t o l d n u m b e r s those w h o failed to a c c e p t the gospel here would s o t h e r e , he felt t o r e j o i c e in his h e a r t i n s t e a d b e i n g t h e m o s t m i s e r a b l e of m e n .
to of do ot
He w a s fully a w a r e t h a t t h e r e w a s but o n e w a y t o be s a v e d : " O n e L o r d , o n e f a i t h , o n e b a p t i s m " (Ephesians 4:5). 19
He k n e w t h a t it w a s p o s i t i v e l y n e c e s s a r y for m a n t o p a s s t h r o u g h t h e d o o r t o e n t e r into t h e s h e e p f o l d ; that t h e m a n y d e v i c e s w h e r e b y m e n s o u g h t t o s a v e t h e m s e l v e s m u s t of n e c e s s i t y fail, f o r G o d ' s h o u s e is a h o u s e of o r d e r . Paul k n e w t h e r e w a s o n l y o n e n a m e u n d e r h e a v e n w h e r e b y m e n m i g h t be s a v e d , a n d t h a t o b e d i e n c e t o C h r i s t ' s law w a s n e c e s s a r y for salvation. Salvation Offered to All N O W I N G t h e s e f a c t s , t h e life of e v e r y g o o d a n d t r u e m a n , as w a s P a u l , w o u l d be r e n d e r e d m i s e r a b l e at t h e t h o u g h t that s o m a n y of t h e h u m a n f a m i l y m u s t i r r e t r i e v a b l y p e r i s h a n d be s u b j e c t to t o r t u r e t h r o u g h o u t all t h e e t e r n i t i e s t o c o m e ; but u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e g r e a t p r i n c i p l e of t h e m i s s i o n of our Savior to t h e p r i s o n w o r l d , o n e c a n r e j o i c e in t h e f a c t that t h e p l a n of s a l v a t i o n is a c o m p l e t e p l a n . He c a n h a v e h o p e t h a t not o n l y in this life, but in t h e life to c o m e , t h e g o s p e l will be p r e a c h e d a n d m e n will be t a u g h t its p r e c e p t s . G o d b e i n g n o r e s p e c t e r of p e r s o n s ( s e e 1 P e t e r 1:17), it w o u l d be m a n i f e s t l y u n j u s t for o n e p o r t i o n of t h e h u m a n f a m i l y to h a v e t h e p r i v i l e g e of h e a r i n g t h e g o s p e l in this life, w h i l e a g r e a t p r o p o r t i o n n e v e r h e a r d it a n d lay u n d e r c o n d e m n a t i o n f o r t h e f a c t . N o , t h e p l a n of s a l v a t i o n is c o m p l e t e ; it r e a c h e s f r o m o u r premortal state, applies to our present condition, a n d e x t e n d s to o u r f u t u r e s t a t e , until e v e r y s o n a n d d a u g h t e r of f a t h e r A d a m h a s h a d a m p l e o p p o r t u n i t y to e m b r a c e its t e n e t s a n d live in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h its spirit. W e h a v e n o w e x a m i n e d t h e g o s p e l p r o o f of p r e m o r t a l life a n d q u o t e d t h e t e s t i m o n y of J e s u s a n d m a n y of t h e s e r v a n t s of t h e M o s t H i g h . W e h a v e g o n e o v e r t h e d u t i e s t h a t p e r t a i n to t h i s l i f e — t h o s e c o n n e c t e d w i t h faith, repentance, baptism for t h e r e m i s s i o n of s i n s , a n d t h e laying on of hands for t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t — a n d h a v e e x a m i n e d t h e s c r i p t u r e s relative t o preaching to spirits in prison. W e n o w t a k e o n e m o r e s t e p in o u r i n v e s t i g a t i o n a n d will e n d e a v o r t o learn if t h e r e is a w a y p r e p a r e d for t h e d e l i v e r a n c e of t h e p r i s o n e r s b o u n d a n d c a p t i v e in t h e g r a s p of S a t a n . T h e f a c t t h a t t h e y a r e b e i n g p r e a c h e d t o is o n e e v i d e n c e that s o m e t h i n g c o u l d be d o n e t o m i t i g a t e t h e i r c o n d i t i o n . It w o u l d be i n t e n s e l y c r u e l if, after being taught the gospel, they were informed that there was no deliverance. 20
Salvation for the Dead
T
H E w o r d of t h e L o r d t h r o u g h t h e p r o p h e t IVIalachi w a s : " B e h o l d , I will s e n d y o u Elijah t h e p r o p h e t b e f o r e t h e c o m i n g of t h e g r e a t a n d d r e a d f u l d a y of t h e L o r d : A n d he shall t u r n t h e heart of t h e f a t h e r s t o t h e c h i l d r e n , a n d t h e h e a r t of t h e c h i l d r e n t o t h e i r f a t h e r s , lest I c o m e a n d s m i t e t h e earth with a c u r s e " (Malachi 4 : 5 - 6 ) . H e r e w a s a w o r k for t h e t r a n s l a t e d p r o p h e t ( E l i j a h ) t o p e r f o r m at s o m e f u t u r e t i m e . T h e f e a r f u l c o n s e q u e n c e of not c o m p l y i n g w i t h his w o r d w a s placed before us: the Lord w o u l d " s m i t e the earth w i t h a c u r s e . " T h e n a t u r e of t h a t w o r k is briefly set f o r t h a s t u r n i n g t h e h e a r t of t h e f a t h e r s t o t h e c h i l d r e n a n d t h a t of t h e c h i l d r e n t o t h e f a t h e r s . T h e A p o s t l e Paul a s s e r t s t h a t " t h e y w i t h o u t us s h o u l d not be m a d e p e r f e c t " ( H e b r e w s 1 1 : 4 0 ) . In other w o r d s , their salvation was necessary to our h a p p i n e s s or p e r f e c t i o n . Jesus, speaking to N i c o d e m u s , said, "Verily, verily, I s a y u n t o t h e e . E x c e p t a m a n be b o r n of w a t e r a n d of t h e Spirit, h e c a n n o t e n t e r into t h e k i n g d o m of G o d " (John 3:5). T h e r e a d e r a s k s , " B u t h o w c a n a spirit be b o r n of w a t e r , or b e b a p t i z e d in t h e w a t e r ? " G r e a t n u m b e r s of t h o s e w h o h a v e g o n e into t h e spirit w o r l d h a v e n e v e r s u b m i t t e d t o t h e o r d i n a n c e of b a p t i s m , w h i l e v a s t n u m b e r s of t h o s e w h o w e r e b a p t i z e d h a d t h e o r d i n a n c e a d m i n i s t e r e d by o n e w h o h e l d n o r i g h t f u l a u t h o r i t y a n d w h o s e a c t s G o d will not r e c o g n i z e . T h e y s t a n d in t h e s a m e p o s i t i o n t o t h e k i n g d o m of G o d a s d o e s a m a n w h o , as a n a l i e n t o t h e g o v e r n m e n t of a c o u n t r y , h a s r e c e i v e d his p a p e r s of citizenship f r o m s o m e o n e w h o held no office under t h e g o v e r n m e n t a n d , as a c o n s e q u e n c e , h a d n o a u thority to confer these rights upon anyone. P a u l , w r i t i n g t o t h e H e b r e w s , s p e a k s of b a p t i s m in t h e p l u r a l : " N o t l a y i n g a g a i n t h e f o u n d a t i o n of r e p e n t a n c e f r o m d e a d w o r k s , a n d of f a i t h t o w a r d G o d , Of t h e doctrine of baptisms" (Hebrews 6:1-2; italics a d d e d ) . N/lany h a v e s u p p o s e d t h i s p a s s a g e t o s a n c t i o n diff e r e n t m o d e s of b a p t i s m ; b u t , by t u r n i n g t o a n o t h e r of P a u l ' s e p i s t l e s , w e l e a r n c l e a r l y his m e a n i n g . W e a l s o l e a r n h o w w e m a y be i n s t r u m e n t s in t h e h a n d s of a w i s e C r e a t o r in d o i n g a w o r k f o r t h e d e a d . " E l s e w h a t shall t h e y d o . - w h i c h a r e b a p t i z e d for t h e d e a d , if t h e d e a d rise not at all? w h y a r e t h e y t h e n b a p t i z e d f o r t h e d e a d ? " (1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 5 : 2 9 ) .
21
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into he kingdom of G o d "
H e r e is a n e x p l a n a t i o n of h o w t h e i r p r i s o n d o o r s m a y be o p e n e d a n d t h e y m a y be set f r e e : by t h e o r d i n a n c e of b a p t i s m for t h e d e a d . T h o s e t h a t a r e in t h e f l e s h d o v i c a r i o u s w o r k for t h e i r d e a d a n d become "saviors upon Mount Z i o n . " W e insert a n a c c o u n t of E l i j a h ' s visif t o t h e e a r t h , in f u l f i l l m e n t of t h e p r o m i s e of t h e L o r d t h r o u g h Malachi. T h e C o m i n g of E l i j a h
O
N t h e t h i r d d a y of A p r i l , 1 8 3 6 , t h e P r o p h e t J o s e p h S m i t h a n d O l i v e r C o w d e r y , w h i l e in t h e t e m p l e at K i r t l a n d , O h i o , h a d t h e v i s i o n of h e a v e n o p e n e d a n d Elijah t h e p r o p h e t , w h o w a s taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before t h e m a n d s a i d : " B e h o l d , t h e t i m e has fully c o m e , w h i c h w a s s p o k e n of by t h e m o u t h of M a l a c h i — t e s t i f y i n g t h a t h e [ E l i j a h ] s h o u l d be sent, b e f o r e t h e g r e a t a n d d r e a d f u l d a y of t h e L o r d c o m e — T o t u r n t h e h e a r t s of t h e f a t h e r s t o t h e c h i l d r e n , a n d t h e c h i l d r e n t o t h e f a t h e r s , lest t h e w h o l e e a r t h be s m i t t e n w i t h a c u r s e — T h e r e f o r e , t h e k e y s of t h i s d i s p e n s a t i o n a r e c o m m i t t e d into your hands; a n d by this ye may k n o w t h a t t h e g r e a t a n d d r e a d f u l d a y of t h e L o r d is near, e v e n at t h e d o o r s " ( D o c t r i n e a n d Covenants 110:14-16). S i n c e Eli]ah t h e p r o p h e t h a s c o m e a n d c o n f e r r e d t h e a u t h o r i t y t o b a p t i z e for t h e d e a d , t h e L a t t e r - d a y S a i n t s a r e a s s i d u o u s l y e n g a g e d in e r e c t i n g t e m p l e s wherein this ordinance may be performed. The o b j e c t of E l i j a h ' s visit w a s p a r t i a l l y a c c o m p l i s h e d by c a u s i n g t h e h e a r t s of t h e f a t h e r s w h o w e r e d e a d a n d gone to turn to the children here o n earth; now the children are s e e k i n g their fathers, to open their p r i s o n d o o r s a n d b r i n g t h e m t h r o u g h t h e d o o r of baptism into the s h e e p f o l d .
N o t o n l y a r e t h e e l d e r s of Israel t r a v e l i n g , p r e a c h ing t h e g o s p e l , a n d b a p t i z i n g p e o p l e by t h e t h o u s a n d s , but t h e S a i n t s a r e f l o c k i n g t o t h e t e m p l e s of t h e L o r d t o r e d e e m t h e i r d e a d f r o m t h e g r a s p of Satan. They are performing a great and mighty work f o r t h e h u m a n f a m i l y w h o h a v e lived u p o n t h e e a r t h in t h e d i f f e r e n t a g e s of t h e w o r l d ' s h i s t o r y a n d w h o , in s o m e i n s t a n c e s , m a n i f e s t b y r e v e l a t i o n t o their c h i l d r e n or f r i e n d s t h a t t h e y h a v e a c c e p t e d t h e g o s p e l in t h e s p i r i t w o r l d . T h e p a t r i a r c h s a n d p r o p h e t s of f o r m e r d a y s , Peter, J a m e s , a n d t h e A p o s t l e s w h o lived in t h e m e r i d i a n of t i m e , a n d J o s e p h S m i t h , B r i g h a m Y o u n g , a n d o t h e r p r o p h e t s of t h e " d i s p e n s a t i o n of t h e
23
Baptisms for the d e a d are pertormec in this font in the Washington Temple
f u l n e s s of t i m e s " in t h e latter d a y s a r e e a r n e s t l y e n g a g e d In d i r e c t i n g t h e p r e a c h i n g of t h e g o s p e l in t h e spirit w o r l d . A s s o c i a t e d w i t h o u r F a t h e r in H e a v e n , t h e a n g e l s , a n d t h e g o o d a n d t r u e of t h e e a r t h , w e will not be d i s s u a d e d by t h e p u n y efforts of m a n t o o v e r t h r o w t h e w o r k s of G o d . C a n t h e d e s i g n s t h a t h a v e b e e n in t h e p r o c e s s of f u l f i l l m e n t s i n c e t h e w o r l d b e g a n n o w be s t a y e d in t h e i r o n w a r d p r o g r e s s i o n b e c a u s e t h e y d o not m e e t t h e a p p r o v a l of t h e p e o p l e of t h e d a y ? W h a t Is E t e r n a l
I
Punishment?
N c o n c l u s i o n , let u s e x a m i n e a n o t h e r q u e s t i o n t h a t h a s d o u b t l e s s c r o s s e d t h e m i n d of t h e r e a d e r — t h e q u e s t i o n of f u t u r e p u n i s h m e n t . If p r e a c h i n g t o t h e spirits, b r i n g i n g t h e m t o a k n o w l e d g e of t h e t r u t h , a n d b e i n g b a p t i z e d f o r t h e m r e l e a s e s t h e m f r o m t h e i r p r i s o n , it l o g i c a l l y f o l l o w s that there must be an e n d to future punishment. W e h e a r t h e q u e s t i o n : " D o not t h e s c r i p t u r e s s a y t h a t it is ' e t e r n a l p u n i s h m e n t ' a n d ' e v e r l a s t i n g p u n i s h m e n t ' ? " Y e s , but let us not put a p r i v a t e interpretation on these terms. Let us correctly understand their meaning.
E t e r n a l p u n i s h m e n t is G o d ' s p u n i s h m e n t ; e v e r l a s t i n g p u n i s h m e n t is G o d ' s p u n i s h m e n t . In o t h e r w o r d s , it is t h e n a m e of t h e p u n i s h m e n t G o d inflicts, he b e i n g e t e r n a l in his n a t u r e . Whosoever, therefore, receives God's punishm e n t r e c e i v e s e t e r n a l p u n i s h m e n t , w h e t h e r it is e n d u r e d o n e h o u r , o n e d a y , o n e w e e k , o n e y e a r , or an a g e . " A n d t h e y w e r e j u d g e d e v e r y m a n a c c o r d i n g to their w o r k s " (Revelation 20:13). S o m e shall be beaten with f e w and some with many stripes. (See Luke 1 2 : 4 7 - 4 8 . ) Here we have plainly set f o r t h t h e f a c t t h a t all m e n a r e not p u n i s h e d alike, that s o m e receive a greater punishment than others. A s t h e i r w o r k s a r e , s o s h a l l be t h e p u n i s h m e n t a w a r d e d t h e m : " A n d I saw the dead, small and great, stand before G o d ; and the books were o p e n e d : a n d a n o t h e r b o o k w a s o p e n e d , w h i c h is t h e b o o k of life: a n d t h e d e a d w e r e j u d g e d out of t h o s e t h i n g s w h i c h w e r e w r i t t e n in t h e b o o k s , a c c o r d i n g t o their w o r k s . A n d the sea gave up the dead w h i c h w e r e in it; a n d d e a t h a n d hell delivered up the dead which were In them" ( R e v e l a t i o n 2 0 : 1 2 - 1 3 ; italics added). T h e s e w e r e t h e w o r d s of J o h n u p o n t h e isle of P a t m o s , a n d m o s t I m p r e s s i v e l y he a d d s , " A n d if a n y 25
m a n shall t a k e a w a y f r o m t h e w o r d s of f h e b o o k of this p r o p h e c y , G o d s h a l l t a k e a w a y his part o u t of t h e b o o k of life, a n d out of t h e h o l y city, a n d f r o m t h e t h i n g s w h i c h a r e w r i t t e n in t h i s b o o k " ( R e v e l a t i o n 22:19). Enough has been said to establish the principles w e have a d v a n c e d . W e c a l l u p o n all t o w h o m t h e s e w o r d s shall c o m e t o e x e r c i s e faith in t h e g o s p e l of J e s u s C h r i s t , t o repent of t h e i r s i n s , t o be baptized tor t h e r e m i s s i o n of t h e i r s i n s , t o r e c e i v e t h e laying on of hands tor t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t , a n d t h e n t o s e r v e G o d w i t h all t h e i r m i g h t , m i n d , a n d s t r e n g t h .
26
he Articles of Faith at The Church of Jesus Christ ot Latter-day Saints 1 W e b e l i e v e in G o d , t h e E t e r n a l F a t h e r , a n d in His S o n , Jesus Christ, a n d in t h e H o l y G h o s t . 2 W e believe that m e n will be p u n i s h e d for t h e i r o w n s i n s , a n d not for A d a m ' s t r a n s g r e s s i o n . 3 W e believe that t h r o u g h t h e A t o n e m e n t of C h r i s t , all m a n k i n d m a y be s a v e d , by o b e d i e n c e to the laws and ordinances of t h e G o s p e l . 4 W e believe that t h e first p r i n c i p l e s a n d o r d i n a n c e s of t h e G o s p e l a r e : first. Faith in t h e L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t ; second, Repentance; t h i r d . B a p t i s m by i m m e r s i o n for t h e r e m i s s i o n of s i n s ; f o u r t h . L a y i n g o n of h a n d s for t h e gift of t h e H o l y G h o s t . 5 W e believe that a man m u s t be c a l l e d of G o d , by p r o p h e c y a n d b y t h e l a y i n g o n of h a n d s , by t h o s e w h o a r e in a u t h o r i t y , t o p r e a c h t h e G o s p e l a n d a d m i n i s t e r in t h e o r d i n a n c e s t h e r e o f . 6 W e b e l i e v e in the same organization that existed in t h e P r i m i t i v e C h u r c h , n a m e l y , apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7 W e b e l i e v e in t h e gift of t o n g u e s , p r o p h e c y , r e v e l a t i o n , visions, healing, i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t o n g u e s , e t c .
8 W e believe the Bible t o b e t h e word of G o d as f a r a s it is translated correctly; we also b e l i e v e t h e B o o k of IVIormon t o be t h e w o r d of G o d . 9 W e b e l i e v e all t h a t G o d h a s r e v e a l e d , all t h a t H e d o e s now reveal, a n d w e believe t h a t He w i l l y e t reveal m a n y g r e a t and important things p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e K i n g d o m of G o d . 10 W e b e l i e v e in t h e literal g a t h e r i n g of Israel a n d in t h e r e s t o r a t i o n of t h e T e n T r i b e s ; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built u p o n the American continent; t h a t C h r i s t will r e i g n personally upon the earth; and, t h a t t h e e a r t h will be r e n e w e d a n d r e c e i v e its p a r a d i s i a c a l g l o r y . 11 W e c l a i m t h e p r i v i l e g e of w o r s h i p p i n g A l m i g h t y G o d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i c t a t e s of o u r o w n conscience, a n d allow all m e n t h e s a m e p r i v i l e g e , let t h e m w o r s h i p h o w , w h e r e , or w h a t t h e y m a y . 12 W e b e l i e v e in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers a n d magistrates, in o b e y i n g , h o n o r i n g , a n d s u s t a i n i n g t h e law. 1 3 W e b e l i e v e in b e i n g honest, true, chaste, benevolent, v i r t u o u s , a n d in d o i n g g o o d t o all m e n ; i n d e e d , w e m a y s a y t h a t w e f o l l o w t h e a d m o n i t i o n of P a u l — W e b e l i e v e all t h i n g s , w e h o p e all t h i n g s , w e have e n d u r e d many things, and hope t o be a b l e t o e n d u r e all t h i n g s . If t h e r e is a n y t h i n g v i r t u o u s , lovely, or of g o o d r e p o r t or p r a i s e w o r t h y , w e s e e k after t h e s e t h i n g s . JOSEPH SMITH.
Mission Addresses M i s s i o n o f f i c e s of T h e C h u r c h of J e s u s C h r i s t of Latter-day Saints are located w o r l d w i d e . Some are listed b e l o w . Y o u c a n l e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h e C h u r c h a n d a b o u t t h e g o s p e l of J e s u s C h r i s t by c o n t a c t i n g the office nearest y o u . Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission Japan Tokyo Mission Casilla de Correo 147 5 - 1 0 - 3 0 Minami Azabu, 1832 Lomas de Zamora Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106, Japan Buenos Aires, Argentina Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission Australia Sydney Mission 11764 South Harreli's 5 Russell Street, Wollstonecraft Ferry Road Sydney, N. S. W., 2065, Australia Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816 Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission Caixa Postal 20809 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil 01000 California Los Angeles Mission P.O. Box 24089 Los Angeles, California 90024 Canada Toronto Mission 338 Queen Street East, Suite 205 P.-ampton, Ontario, Canada L6V 1C5 Denmark Copenhagen Mission Priorvej 12 2000 Copenhagen F, Denmark England London Mission 9 The Green Lower Edmonton London N-9, England France Paris Mission 23, rue du 11 novembre 1918 78110 Le Veslnet, France Germany Frankfurt Mission 6 Frankturt/Main 90 Ditmarstrasse 9, Germany Hong Kong Mission No. 2 Cornwall Street Kowloon-Tong Kowloon, Hong Kong Italy Rome Mission Via Cimone 95 00141 Rome, Italy
Mexico Mexico City Mission Monte Caucaso 1110 Lomas de Chapultepec Mexico 10, D.F Missouri Independence Mission 306 South Pleasant Street, Box 455 Independence, Missouri 64051 Netherlands Amsterdam Mission Waldeoklaan 3 1213XV Hilversum, Netherlands New York New York Mission Two Lincoln Square New York, New York 10023 Philippines Manila Mission Commercial Center, P.O. Box 801 MakatI, Metro Manila 3117 Philippines Samoa Apia Mission P.O Box 197 Apia, Western Samoa Spain Madrid Mission Calle San Telmo 26 Madrid 16, Spain
Missionary Department 50 East North Temple, 12th Floor Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
â„¢CHURCHoF JESUS CHRIST Of LATTER-DAY SAINTS PTMI0024
111 200M
Printed in USA