Revelations

Revelations

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Extracted from the book of Doctrine and covenants.

The power and authority of the higher or Melchisedec priesthood is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church. (Sec. iii. p. 9 (107:18 Utah.))

Wherefore it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood, to preside over the priesthood, and he shall be called President of the high priesthood of the church, or , in other words, the presiding high priest over the high priesthood of the church, from the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church by the laying on of the hands. (Sec. iii. p. 31. (107:65-67 Utah.))

And again, the duty of the President of the office of the high priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses. Behold here is wisdom--yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator and a prophet --having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church. (Sec. iii. p. 42 (107:91-92 Utah.)) Joseph Smith and James J. Strang were seer, a revelator, a translator and a prophet they had all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.

I give unto you my servant Joseph, to be a presiding elder over all my church, to be a translator, a revelator, a seer and prophet. (Sec. ciii. p. 39. (124:125 Utah.))

Thou (Joseph) shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church trough the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ. (Sec. xlvi. p.) (21:1 Utah.))

The President of the church, who is also the President of the council, is appointed by revelation. (Sec. v. p. 6. (102:9 Utah.))

The president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by revelation. (Sec. v. p. 10. (102:23 Utah.))

I have sent forth the fullness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead. (Sec. xi. p. 4. (35:17-18 Utah.))

But, behold, verily I say unto thee no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou (Oliver Cowdery) shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the church; for I have given him the keys of the mysteries and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead. (Sec. li, p. 2. (28:2-7 Utah.))

Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you while thou art in this world, neither in the world to come; nevertheless through you shall the oracles be given to another, even unto the church. (Sec. Lxxxv. p. 2. (90:3-4 Utah.)) These oracles were given to James J. Strang. James J. Strang was the only one who claimed this. If James J. Strang wasn't given the oracles through Joseph Smith, than Joseph Smith was a false prophet. Because what he said in the name of the Lord didn't come to pass. James J. Strang was Joseph Smith's legal successor. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The claims made by Brigham Young, and others, were absurd.

And this ye shall know assuredly, that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me. (Sec. xiv. p. 1. (43:3 Utah.))

But verily, verily I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him, for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead; and this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments, and this I give unto you that your may not be deceived; that you may know they are not of me. For verily I say unto you that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate, and be ordained as I have told you before. (Sec. xiv. p. 2. (43:4-7 Utah.))

Shortly before his death, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to James J. Strang. In this letter Joseph Smith appoint[ed] another in his stead. This letter, called the Letter of Appointment, is in the Archives in the Yale University. The signature, that of Joseph Smith, was proven to be genuine by a panel of independent hand writing experts.

Wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth;--also with John the son of Zacharias;---which John (an angel) I have sent unto you, my servants Joseph Smith, jr., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron:--and also with Peter, and James, and John, (angels,) whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry; and of the same things which I revealed unto them; unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fullness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (Sec, 1.p. 2,3. (27:5-13 Utah.)) Given Sept. 1830.

The Twelve are a traveling, presiding high council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the church, agreeable to the institution of heaven. (Sec. iii. p. 12. (107:33 Utah.)) Brigham Young, and the other nine Apostles who followed him, were excommunicated for not following this. Only two of the twelve Apostles (John E. Page and William Smith) followed James J. Strang. You can read about this in the Book of the Law of the Lord .

Now I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the twelve, arise and grid up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and lead my sheep. Exalt not yourselves; revel not against my servant Joseph, for verily I say unto you I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also you youward, shall not be taken from him till I come. (Sec. civ. p. 6. (112:14-15 Utah.))

Verily I say unto you, my servant Thomas, thou art the man whom I have chosen to hold the keys of my kingdom (as pertaining to the twelve) abroad among all nations, that thou mayest be my servant to unlock the door of the kingdom in all places where my servant Joseph, and my servant Sidney, and my servant Hyrum, cannot come: for on them have I laid the burden of all the churches for a little season: wherefore, whithersoever they (the First Presidency) shall send you, (the Twelve,) go ye, and I will be with you, and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name, an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my words; whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those (the First Presidency) whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my names' sake unto you (The twelve.) (Sec. civ. p. 7. (112:16-20 Utah.))

Therefore see to it that ye (the Twelve) trouble not yourselves concerning the affairs of my church in this place, (the seat of the First Presidency,) saith the Lord: But purify your hearts before me, and then go ye into all the world and preach my gospel unto every creature, who have not received it, and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned. (Sec. civ. p. 11. (112:27-29 Utah.))

The question as to weather the twelve apostles had or had not the authority to lead the church after the death of Joseph Smith is an old argument. Even if they did, then why wasn't Joseph Smith's brother William Smith also among them. He was one of the twelve apostles at the time of Joseph Smith's death. So was John E. Page. Both followed James J. Strang.

Understanding that James J. Strang was the true successor to Brigham Young is elementary, any serious seeker of truth and understanding can see that. What is harder to understand, and much more important, is who, if any, now holds the priesthood of God.

If the priesthood was carried forward simply by an ordination from someone who held the priesthood at the time of James J. Strang's death in the summer of 1856, then many would now hold the priesthood. There are several different "Strangite" groups, or churches, which have sprung up since the death of James J. Strang who hold the Book of the Law in high esteem–using it as scripture like the Christians use the Bible or Muslims the Koran (Qur'an). There were also many who joined in with the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) who held the priesthood at the time of James J. Strang's death. Does that mean that those priest of the RLDS church, and the many different churches which have broken off from it also possess the priesthood of God. Or are they now just churches of this world not having the authority from God?

There are spiritual laws which governs this. If these laws were understood and followed there would not be so much confusion nor would there be so many different churches. There is hope. That hope lies in the future when the knowledge of God and his laws will be understood by all. At that time people will look back on this age of spiritual confusion and with a joyful heart be thankful that their lives are no longer adversely affected by blind usurping priest and religious leaders who have no regard for God or his laws.

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