CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD                                WHY A RESTORATION                                RECENT REVELATIONS

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER              PROPHECY FULFILLED                                            JOSEPHS  WIVES                                                             HISTORY

      "THE LAWGIVER"

                       By President of Seventy Nolan W. Glauner

“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise; thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up; he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion, who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Christ] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and has ass's colt unto the choice vine; [The House of Israel] he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes; His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.” Genesis 49:8- 12

“Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.” Psalms 80:8

Christians believe that it was necessary that Christ, the Messiah, be a descendent of the tribe of Judah, as this was required in order to fulfill the many prophesies about this event.  We must not make the mistake however which is being made by the house of Judah today and look for a Shiloh, or Messiah, to come who has already come.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9:9

Jesus was sent to fulfill the old covenant and establish the new covenant

God had promised that a new covenant would be delivered to the House of Jacob, and this new covenant was to include not only the twelve tribes of Jacob but also the Gentiles who would willingly enter in and become a part of it.

There is a great mystery and misunderstanding in the Christian world and it is that the house of or kingdom of Israel exists and is located wheresoever Zion, the ten tribe Israel is gathered together.   Before the captivity of the ten tribe kingdom of Israel, Samaria or Northern Israel was called Zion.  Jerusalem or Judah is also a part of Zion, but is often referred to as the Daughter of Zion.

David united the twelve tribes in his day and Israel was one kingdom, however the tribes were severed because of the sins of David’s son, Solomon. The kingdom over Israel and ten of these tribes was transferred by command of the Lord to Jeroboam who was made king over Israel. Only the tribe of Judah, Benjamin and a half tribe of Levi was allowed to remain in Jerusalem because of God’s love for King David, “the apple of his eye.” The new king over the ten tribes, Jeroboam had been a servant of King Solomon and was a descendent of the tribe of Joseph.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord; But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:31- 33

Solomon multiplies wives and concubines and worships false gods

“Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, [for multiplying wives and concubines and worshipping idols] which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant [Jeroboam]. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake; but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son [Rehoboam]. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.” 1 Kings 11:11- 13

 “And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces; And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces [ten tribes]; for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee; But he [Rehoboam, Solomon’s son] shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel;” 1 Kings 11:30- 32

It is a tragedy that both of the houses of God’s Elect family eventually went into apostasy and were cast out of their inheritances in the promised land.

“And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, which he sware unto them.” Deuteronomy 4:27- 31

But happily this scattering of Jacob was not to extend forever, and they were promised that at some future date they would be gathered as God’s chosen people once more.

“I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold; they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.”  Micah 2:12

“For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.” Amos 9:9

THE NEW COVENANT

 “Wherefore then, the law [of Moses] was added because of transgressions, till the seed [Shiloh] should come to whom the promise was made in the law given to Moses, who was ordained by the hand of angels to be a mediator of this first covenant, (the law.) Now this mediator was not a mediator of the new covenant; but there is one mediator of the new covenant, who is Christ, as it is written in the law concerning the promises made to Abraham and his seed. Now Christ is the mediator of life; for this is the promise which God made unto Abraham.” Galatians 3:19, 20

 “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:13- 15

THE GREAT RESTORATION

“And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. And behold, this people will I establish in this land [America], unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.” 3 Nephi 9:57- 59

Most of the laws and commandments which were taught at Jerusalem at the feet of Jesus are contained in the Holy Scriptures, but over a period of time the early day saints drifted away from these pure and simple teachings and started listening to the speculations of the mind of man and substituting ritual and superstition for true worship of the Savior. When the apostasy was complete  the church of Christ was driven into the wilderness where she was to be nourished for 1260 years.

“And the woman [church] fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore years.” Revelations 12:5

The priesthood who was given the authority to act and function in the name of Christ was lost to humanity. A restoration was necessary for God to bring forth another people who would receive his prophetic directions. A choice land which was blessed above all other lands on earth, was reserved and prepared of the Lord in order to restore his holy priesthood and his church, instituting once more the true worship of God.

 “And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work, and a wonder among the children of men. Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day; For they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them  [Judah] of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; And unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward anymore for a Messiah to come, For there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah, which should deceive the people: For there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews.” 2 BoM Nephi 11:28- 34

“And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless: wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment, that you should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law;” D&C 38:7a,b

 “Behold, verily, I say unto you, I have reserved those things which I have entrusted unto you, my servant Joseph [Smith], for a wise purpose in me, and it shall be made known unto future generations; but this generation shall have my word through you; and in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things; and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you; yea, they shall know of a surety that these things are true; for from heaven will I declare it unto them; I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are; and to none else will I grant this power, to receive this same testimony, among this generation, in this, the beginning of the rising up, and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness; clear as the moon and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” D&C 5:3a- d

ELEMENTS OF THE LAW OF CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM THAT WERE LOST THROUGH APOSTASY

“And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records [Inspired Holy Scriptures, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants] which thou hast seen among the Gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them;” 1 Nephi 3:192

The following are just a few examples of the plain and precious things of the gospel that were lost.

· 1. Eternal judgment: the three Heavens, Hell [the grave], the Prison House, and the lake of fire.

· 2. The different glories of Heaven: Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial.

· 3. Location of the New Jerusalem: center placed at Independence, Missouri.

· 4. The composition of the kingdom: Center Place, Stakes. Presidents, High Counselors, Bishops and quorums of priesthood, Members, etc.

· 5. Divisions of the priesthoods: Melchisedec and Aaronic

· 6. Priesthood callings: High Priests, Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons.

· 7. Priesthood Offices: Presidents, Apostles, Seventies, Bishops, Patriarchs, and pastors.

· 8. Nature and location of Zion [ten tribe kingdom of Israel] with the center at Independence, Missouri extending to include much or all of America.

The purpose of the kingdom: To enable the church to perform all the functions and ordinances, that can only be performed by God’s authorized priesthood and to usher willing candidates into the process of salvation through their personal covenant with Jesus Christ. To provide instruction and training pointing the way to sanctification and grace. To prepare the saints and the kingdom for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 “Hearken, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth; yea, whose voice is unto men, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth; yea, a voice crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom; pray unto the Lord; call upon his holy name; make known his wonderful works among the people, call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth; that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth; wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, may be glorified in heaven, so on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” D&C 65:1a- 1f

“Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King; he will save us. Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast; they could not spread the sail; then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.” Isaiah 33:20- 23 ■

WHY A RESTORATION?

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:1

What happened to that little congregation of people who gathered on the hillsides of Galilee and in their humble homes to absorb the words of a humble carpenter; eternal words that echo down through the ages that have touch the hearts of many; words that have the power to change our very being? The teachings of Jesus provide a guide for life and a standard of righteousness for all generations.

That small gathering of people who followed Jesus had few material possessions. Their traditional places of worship were in the local synagogues. When they expressed their belief in Jesus as being the promised Messiah however they were often criticized, rejected and unwelcome in their Jewish communities.

 Jesus and his Apostles taught first in the synagogues, but when rejected went directly to the people. When their teachings began to take hold and more and more started listening and joining their congregation, they were considered a threat by the establishment and came under their condemnation. They were branded blasphemers, apostates and heretics.

Jesus having been sent by the Eternal Father to redeem mankind and to set his church into order accomplished all the Father had sent him to do.  He called Apostles, Seventies, Elders and Priests as well as others and endowed them with the authority of God to continue the church of the living God. In doing this he rejected those who were in apostasy of leading Jews, those who had rejected him and his purpose for coming into the world.

Jesus’ followers came under the same rejection by their fellow Jews as their master. When the Jews rejected their Messiah, it was literal fulfillment of prophecy.

“For there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews.” BoM 2 Nephi 11:34

“O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Ye who will kill the prophets, and will stone them who are sent unto you; how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate! For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth, and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say, Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him.” Matthew 23:37- 40

In 70 A.D., Roman Legions sieged and destroyed Jerusalem, sacking and burning the temple. Those who survived were taken prisoner, carried away, and scattered into many foreign countries. 

The small band of Christians were also persecuted by the Romans and in many ways had to go into hiding. The Apostles, in their calling to go into all the world, spread the influence of Christ into many countries and their success is noted in many of the traditions of the ancient nations they visited.

The small band of Christians in and around Jerusalem had been warned by prophecy of the impending destruction of Jerusalem and gathered at Perea to escape the Romans. Later they scattered abroad into the many different countries where the Apostles and Seventies had gone before them. They grew in number among the Gentiles but were no match for the political power of Rome, for Rome persecuted the scattered remnants of both Jew and Christian. Their suffering was so severe under the unjust Roman rule that when in 325 A.D., Roman Emperor Constantine, a sun worshipper, chose to favor the Christians many of them welcomed it and breathed a sigh of relief. Jesus’ followers had suffered the same persecution as their master under Roman rule.

Constantine called a council of Christian Bishops to meet in Nicaea in Bithynia in 325 A.D., and many Elders agreed to meet with him, but many others refused to allow the secular ruler into church affairs.

Wikipedia: “The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in A.D. 325. The Council was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.”

The church that the Pagan sun worshipper, Constantine, directed through his favored Bishops in the Roman world after the Council of Nicaea, answered to the Roman Emperor. The church would now support and be supported by the secular Roman government. It was a political move by Constantine, who was not baptized as a Christian until much later in his lifetime.

Other Christian Elders [called Bishops], who would not obey this summons to attend this state called council, asked their counterparts, what has the Emperor to do with the church? It would be no different than the president of the United States nationalizing and consolidating all of the Christian churches of the nation into one body. The conditions being that the state recognized and supported the efforts of the obedient Elders and condemned those who did not fall into line. I do not believe that many free Americans would willingly accept this kind of an arrangement. Nevertheless this usurpation of the church that Christ founded occurred shortly following the council of 325 A.D.

If our head of state in America would be so presumptuous as to call a council of churches to the White House and attempt to direct them in religious and spiritual matters, the intrusion of government into the affairs of God’s church would not be allowed.

 Those scattered Christian groups throughout the vast Roman Empire who refused to gather to the Emperor’s sanctioned Church were eventually overcome through persecution finally passed out of existence.  The state church that Constantine called into existence and promoted came to be known and accepted by most of the world and is thought so by many today as being “The Christian church.” The few, scattered humble followers of Christ who refused to follow the dictates of Rome, retreated into the wilderness to escape persecution, where they were to be nourished for a time and times and a half time until God would initiate a restoration of true religion. A miraculous prophetic intersession of God was required to re-establish again the New Testament church that Christ ordained.

The book of Revelations that was written by the Apostle John, The Beloved, who received these coded revelations, while exiled on the island of Patmos, in cryptic form [so that the romans would not understand] informed us what was to become of the church and kingdom of God.

“And she [the church] brought forth a man child [Jesus], who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne. And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman which was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore years.” Revelations 12:3- 5

Jesus and the kingdom were taken into heaven until a time of, “the restitution of all things”

“And he [The Father] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom ye have crucified; Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:20, 21

The church of God was driven into the wilderness and Christ and the kingdom were taken into Heaven to come forth in the last days. And in the last days Joseph Smith received this:

“Behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and for the last time that I shall call laborers [priesthood] into my vineyard. And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances, because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds. And verily, verily I say unto you, that this church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness;” D&C 32:1d- 2a

There has been a restoration of that humble church of God that Jesus set into order, but there continues to be great confusion among the many, and only a personal and comprehensive search of latter day scriptures can correct this confusion. Many churches, not understanding scripture, would say that there is no need for an ordained priesthood but that there is a priesthood of the members. They would also assert that there is no need of miracles or for further revelations since the Apostles fell asleep.

Contrary to these false beliefs of the various churches there has always been a need for an authorized priesthood to perform the ordinances of the church for the salvation and glorification of his erroring children and to bring its members into a state of sanctification.

Unless God has changed there will always be those who God has called upon to receive revelations and counsel for the guidance of his people throughout the ages.

R.L.D.S. History Page 34: “The work of translation [on the Book of Mormon] continued without any other extra-ordinary event transpiring until Friday, May 15, [1829] when the Aaronic priesthood was conferred upon them through the instrumentality of John the Baptist.

On this point we allow Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to relate the circumstance.

Joseph Smith says:-

"We still continued the work of translation, when in the ensuing month (May, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine) we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, as we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying, and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying unto us, 'Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion, for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness,'

“. . . which John 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, 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;” D&C 26:2d-3b

This act of God in restoring his priesthood once more in the eleventh hour, gave those called authority to act for God in performing the necessary ordinances for the salvation and glorification of his erring children.

Over the years many of our dis-united restoration organizations have believed that it was within their authority to remove, what they considered an errant priesthood member, by legislative or judicial actions. It is true they have authority to excommunicate or disfellowship someone, but only God can remove someone from a calling that he has granted to a person.

When the one church of Christ [and there is only one] is in order with the quorums in place there would be no place for an excommunicated or dis-fellowshipped priesthood member to go. He would have to repent of any charges and be reinstated to function in the one church or be left without. But since the body is fragmented in its present condition, any priesthood member who has not forfeited his priesthood covenant with God, should be recognized and be able to function within his priesthood calling as conditions permit. The church in its fragmented state cannot be set into order except by a direct commandment of God.

Let’s take as an example the Ford Motor Company which builds many different models of vehicles; if someone were to construct a vehicle that was an exact replica of one of their current models, that is to say so that all of the parts are identical with a particular Ford vehicle, having the same engine specifications, drive train, body appearance etc., even though it would have all these characteristics, it would still not be a valid Ford. Though it looked exactly like one of their models it would cause many viewing it to be fooled by its appearance. Only Ford Motor Company can make authorized, authentic Ford vehicles.

This principle also applies to the church of Christ. A group may have the physical resources, the pattern and work to create an exact replica of the Church that Christ built. They may also have priesthood members who have been called and ordained to specific offices, but unless they were commanded to set the church into proper order by the Lord it would still be a counterfeit of the true church. I believe that this is why there are so many different churches organized by good, well-meaning saints, but without the express commandment of God. Each of these well-meaning churches have claimed to be the one true church of Christ, and often have many people rally around them, but even though they are well meaning these unauthorized organizations do not have the mandate to bring in the kingdom of Christ.

Received by Seventy N.W. Glauner on 12 October 2000: “Seek unto those whom I have called out of the world and set in my church; those who have been given authority of me to set in order all things. I have brought my Seventy out of troubled waters for this very purpose. And if you will, saith the Lord, heed their counsel, I will establish you once more as my people. Yea, I will bring you to fountains of living water and you may refresh your souls. You have long wandered seeking a leader. Seek unto me saith the Lord, and seek unto those who I have appointed as stewards over my scattered flock. Those who continue to refuse the pattern and means I have caused to be established in my church to carry on my work shall be cut off from the midst of my people saith the Lord.”

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Psalms 127:1 ■

"CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD"

By President of Seventy Nolan W. Glauner

“Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” Book of Mormon, Ether 1: 77, 78

W  hat a wonderful promise we have been given, even the promise that we, through the covenant, become the sons and daughters of the Most High God. Scriptures inform us that we were created in the spirit before we came to dwell in the flesh on this earth.

“And 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; the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; Nevertheless, all things were before created, but spiritually were they created and made, according to my word.” Genesis 2:8, 9

We become sons and daughters of the Most High God by entering into the covenant and through the new birth of the Holy Ghost within us, making us new creatures.

“And now, 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.” BoM Mosiah 3:8, 9

In the past when I would read the scripture promising that we would be joint heirs with Christ, I misunderstood what it taught. I thought that since Jesus is the son of God and sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, and that the Father gave him all power, that we would be joint heirs to the very Heavens. I have since come to understand that being joint heirs with Christ promises us an inheritance upon this earth upon which we stand. We are informed that those who are able to live by even a portion of the Celestial Law, will in time receive of fullness and inherit a Celestialized earth. We will jointly inherit it with our Lord Jesus Christ when he returns to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”        Romans 8:16, 17

More and more I believe we must have made a pre-embodiment agreement with God to come to this earth to be tested. I do not believe we were considered sons and daughters of God at the time we made these decisions.

The stakes or risks must have been very high when we made these decisions, for we are told that if we succeed in choosing the good over evil, we would receive this crown of eternal life as his sons and daughters. In making this decision to come to the earth and to be tried, carried the risked of being eternally lost from ever entering back into the presence of God. The fact that we existed in the spirit world before we were given a body is made very clear in latter day revelations.

 “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also, otherwise there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man, because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation, for man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receiveth a fullness of joy; and when separated, man cannot receive a fullness of joy.”          D&C 90: 5 a-e

Atheists have it all wrong. They want us to believe that the body is everything and there is no such thing as a spirit which animates the body. They would argue that consciousness is located in the brain and that after the body loses consciousness in death nothing survives. Scriptures dispute this belief. In fact we are told by an infallible source that the life of the body or the spirit which enlivens the body was created before it was clothed over with a body,

 “And now, behold, I say unto you, that these are the generations of the heaven, and of the earth, when they were created in the day that I the Lord God made the heaven and the earth, and 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.” Genesis 2: 4, 5

If this truth bears out in eternity, and I am sure it will, it can be assumed that consciousness of mankind resides in the spirit of man and not in the physical body. Else why would the Lord go into the Prison House to preach to the spirits of men, if they could not hear him or understand what he was preaching? We also must keep in mind the mercy and longsuffering of our Lord and acknowledge that he would not preach to the spirits in the Prison House to mock them! This would indicate that even the spirits in the Prison House would still have a chance to repent and ultimately be saved, for God would not preach to them in vain.

“For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, that he might bring us to God. For which cause also, he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;”            1 Peter 3:18, 19

Our God, not desiring that any should perish reveals the different glories that man may inherit according to his works. The sons of perdition are an exception to this, as they do not receive a kingdom of glory. The sons of perdition are those souls who have known Christ, experienced the workings of the Holy Spirit, and then turn away from the Lord and deny him. These are the only ones that will not ultimately be saved to some glory at the end of the world and the only ones that the second death will have power over.

The fact that God does not desire that any perish is born out in the revelation given to both Joseph and Sidney in explaining who would come forth in the Terrestrial Glory,

 “Behold, these are they who died without law; and also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it;” D&C 76: 6c

Another instance where it is obvious that the consciousness resides in the spirit is given in the Book of Revelations of the New Testament. Souls that were slain spoke from under the altar.

 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held; And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”           Revelations 6: 9- 11

It is obvious from these scriptures that consciousness continues beyond the grave and the promises of the Lord are such that we well again receive a new body to clothe over our incarnate spirits in the resurrection.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44

Our spiritual bodies will be eternal and I would believe indestructible. The brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon was given a glimpse of Christ in his eternal body.

“And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the Brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the Brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear. And the Lord saw that the Brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him, Arise, why hast thou fallen?. . . And the Lord said unto him, Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so, ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this? . . . And he answered, Nay, Lord, shew thyself unto me . . . And when he had said these words, behold the Lord shewed himself unto him, and said, Because thou knowest these things, ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I shew myself unto you. Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. . . Behold this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit, will I appear unto my people in the flesh.” Ether 1: 69-81

The body is a clothing over of the spirit and these two combined compriseth the soul of a man:

“Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you, is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body is the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul; and the redemption of the soul is through him who quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed, that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it. Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father; that bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it for ever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created; and for this intent are they sanctified.” D&C 85:4a- 4d

To be born again of the Spirit of God [Holy Ghost], we not only become sons and daughters of the Most High, but also citizens of the Kingdom of God.

“And the Lord said unto me, Marvel not 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; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God.” BoM Mosiah 11:187, 188

So we have a wonderful promise of eternal life and an inheritance as sons and daughters in the Celestial Kingdom of our Lord upon this earth, also that we will be endowed with a spiritual body that is created to last forever and ever.

We ultimately must consider just how we should conduct our lives in the realization and reality that we, through the covenant, are now the sons and daughters of the Most High God. ■

    THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

An ordinary practicing Christian will more often than not say a simple blessing over their food and a personal prayer before bed each night. In many cases, it’s a practice taught from childhood which is carried with such a person for the rest of their life. However, after many years, or even decades, of continually observing this practice, it can easily become a matter of habit or obligation if not given the appropriate care. It will simply become repetition. There is also a similar concern in the majority of Christian churches. It would be difficult to find a sizeable Christian church that doesn’t follow the standard traditions of modern times. You would most likely find that in most of these you have certain prayers said at certain times during the heavily regimented services. Much like with personal prayers, these repetitive invocations and benedictions can lose their meaning and sincerity for the sake of tradition when not given appropriate consideration.

Prayers are, when used correctly and not out of obligation or regiment, a very powerful tool we have at our disposal.

 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”             James 1:5-7

The primary purpose of prayers is to communicate with our Lord, either to give Him praise or to petition Him. A gesture by which we can show Him due respect and gratitude for the great things He has given us. It should always be understood that prayers are not only for asking things of God. Often times, the things we don’t have are out of our reach because we don’t need them, or more often, because we don’t deserve them. God already knows our needs, and provides countless things we never asked for [ref to previous sentence] This does not, however, mean that we shouldn’t ask God for anything. To put our faith and trust in God to receive what we lack is a good way to demonstrate our faith and trust to Him. We should, however, take great care to only ask for things that are worthwhile, and ask in all faith with our faith and trust placed in God to receive the gift. We should never ask out of carnal desire.

 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not; Ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war; yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:1-3

To doubt to even a small degree in God’s ability to grant us what we’ve asked for only shows Him that we do not have the faith to warrant us asking anything of Him in the first place. It’s also important to take care not to tell God what he ought or ought not to do, as He knows better than us what His job is and how to do it best. We don’t need to ask Him to do his job either, as all things are in His due time, not ours.

Another purpose of prayer is to remind us to be diligent. It is not uncommon for a person to, when distant from a religious setting such as church services and not in prayer to feel that they are alone when no other person is around, and that they may do as they please without anyone knowing what they do. This is, however, a misconception. When we pray or worship in services, we aren’t dragging God down from heaven to us for a short while as we speak to Him (and often refuse to listen) or participate in our usual church services. To pray is to speak to God who was there all along.

“he comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things: and all things are by him, and of him; even God, for ever and ever.” D&C Sec 85:10c

We don’t  have to be in the midst of prayer to be near to Him, as prayer is merely our communication with Him. Rather, prayer also serves the purpose of reminding us that God is there. To pray diligently throughout our lives serves to keep us on the right path and to be mindful of Him.■

REVELATIONS

                                         President of Seventy, Nolan W. Glauner

                                    Buckner Missouri

                           August 28, 2011 Number 277

 1. Seek to understand, I have called my church out of the wilderness and established it upon my law and have called upon all to repent and return unto me, that I might use you as lively stones in building my mighty fortress, Zion.

 2. There are none who are excepted from this call among mine elect, but not all will heed my voice even when it is spoken in their ears.

 3. My people are imprisoned in the cause of worldly pursuits and goals.

 4. Their works are unprofitable and I shall burn them up, saith your Lord.

 5. Why labor for that which is not meat?

 6. I have called upon my elect to come out of the great whore and I call upon them to reject the worldly enticements of the whore’s daughters which are built up to get gain whose foundation is the Devil.

 7. Their subtle appeal entices great numbers of my children to bow to their worldly worship which has a form of godliness, but denies the power of their Creator.

 8. Those who refuse to escape her enticements shall be judged with her and great shall be their fall, saith your God.

 9. You cannot serve me, your God, with half measures, for I have said and I will say again; I would that ye were cold or hot in your efforts to serve me, for the lukewarm I shall spew out of my mouth.

10. Even the infidel prepareth his house when he seeth the storm coming, for he heeds the signs of the heavens.

11. When will you, my people, prepare for what I have decreed as judgment for the world?

12. You seek answers for your problems from the world, but do not seek my counsel.

13. When the heavens became silent it was thought that I did not speak because my words that have already gone forth were sufficient, but I say unto you it was because my words fell on deaf ears that I ceased striving with those generations and I awaited a generation to come forth who would not only hear my voice, but would do those works that were meet for my kingdom.

14. Know you not that I have called you out of the world to build up my kingdom?

15. I will hasten my work in its time, but think not that I cannot bring forth that which I proclaimed from the beginning, for I shall put all things under the feet of my beloved son and he shall rule with a rod of iron which is with truth, judgment and righteousness.

16. His throne shall be established forever and his righteousness shall spread to the ends of the earth.

17. All who will take part in his kingdom, the Spirit says come and purchase that which does not perish without cost.

18. For my salvation is offered freely to all who will receive the gift.

19. Take heed, my children to all my counsel and live. Amen

Buckner Missouri

September 13, 2011 Number 278

 1. Bear up when adversity strikes, for all shall be tested.

 2. I will strengthen those who call upon me to bring them through these trials, but those who know me not shall suffer.

 3. Not all who call unto me Lord, Lord, believe that I will hear them, but I say unto you I am mindful of all that troubles my creation, for it is I who created all things.

 4. Be steadfast, all you who call upon me, saith your Creator, believing in my power to deliver you from falling away, but you must know that by that same power that created all things I have power to dissolve my creations and yet preserve all who have chosen the pathway of life.

 5. Be not so concerned with death as you are with life.

 6. I came into your humanity to offer you life and that life eternal.

 7. I am the Firstborn of the dead and the resurrection and life eternal to those who enter in through the door.

 8. Blessed are the humble who accept my words and live by them, for I shall bring them to glory when the time for refreshing shall come.

 9. All those whom the Father hath given me shall be victorious over death and in me shall have life eternal.

10. Thus saith the Holy One of Israel; enter in through that gate that has been provided and my rod and my staff shall protect you.

11. Though Satan troubleth the world, my power has not diminished and evil and the wicked shall be destroyed at my coming.

12. Tell my servant Solomon [Adesina] that he should not travel more than his strength or resources permit, for the field all around him is ready for the harvest.

13. Some will be gathered, but others shall perish in the field.

14. I will uphold his efforts to do my work, but he must not go beyond what I have called upon him to do.

15. Attend to your family and see that they are provided for and I will be with you saith the Lord, for I have ordained that a man shall provide for his family.

16. I call upon my saints to be strong for the days that are sure to come shall try them even in the fires of adversity.

17. All my covenant children who call upon me in their need for strength shall be heard.

18. Do not drift away from the influence of my Spirit, for there are many now who say, he delayeth his coming until the end of the world, but I say unto you, I shall come to claim mine own and the wicked in that day shall not stand.

19. I will not allow the wicked to destroy my saints.

20. When I come I shall dwell with the righteous until the end shall come when I deliver the kingdom spotless unto the Father of all.

21. Do not be moved out of your place, but embrace the covenant of life. Amen

Buckner Missouri

October 13, 2011 Number 279

 1. Hear me my son. I have withheld my counsel from you for a short period of time. I will not burden you with more than you can bear.

 2. I now call upon you to continue the work of informing my people of those things that shall transpire in these last days.

 3. Gird up your loins and know that whatsoever befalls you and my people is necessary to the winding up of times.

 4. I shall bring the faithful through these times and shall gather them into one.

 5. All who will hear my voice shall escape my wrath when I send forth my judgments upon the earth.

 6. I will never forsake my little ones who are humble and full of love.

 7. I shall set my mark upon my children that the destroying angel may pass over them in my day of judgment.

 8. When the storms of unrest and destruction come, seek shelter in the safety of righteousness.

 9. Do not forsake me and I will cast my protecting arm about you.

10. Do not be discouraged as you see my judgment go forth upon the earth, for it must come to warn my people that they cannot remain as friends with that world, for the friends of this world are enemies of your God.

11. Apply your hearts to obedience and I will bring you through all things that must come to pass on earth to point the way and sift out the chaff from the wheat.

12. For the time of harvest is near, even at your door.

13. Rejoice that you know the Lord of harvest and his love for his own never fails.

14. Soon the night will be over and a new day shall dawn upon the righteous; a day filled with peace and joy and all who are victorious shall take part in the celebration that I shall prepare, saith your God and the Holy one of Israel.

15. Continue in prayer and fasting, pray for those who are undecided as to whom they will serve, for the time of decision is upon all who have not made their choice.

16. I shall suddenly proclaim that there shall be time no longer, then the disobedient and rebellious will weep and mourn for they shall be shut out of the household of my inheritance.

17. Be joyous, my obedient children, for thy reward is with me and a glorious inheritance is written for the faithful.

18. All who have refused me, saith the Lord, come out of her and be not partakers of her judgment and come to the light of my truth and salvation, for I am a rewarder of the obedient.

19. I am a refuge from the storm. Amen

Buckner Missouri

October 18, 2011 Number 280

 1. Be of good cheer and have joy my children, for I have given you the keys to sanctification.

 2. How can my children walk in grace unless they are sanctified?

 3. Cast off all that would hinder your quest to come closer unto me, saith your God.

 4. All have sinned and have fallen short of my glory, but I have prepared a sacrifice to return you to my presence.

 5. Sanctify yourselves and I shall restore you to your innocency and make you once more as a little child in my sight.

 6. In this grace you shall lose your fears and not remember your guilt, for if you will enter into my rest, I will remove all guilt and fear, for you shall be filled with love for me and for your fellowman.

 7. What greater gift can I grant you than innocency, for of such is the kingdom of God.

 8. Except you become as a little child in my sight, you shall not be glorified in my kingdom, saith your Creator.

 9. Hear me my people, for I plead with you.

10. Why should you refuse me, your Father, and be cast out into outer darkness where there is anguish, sorrow and despair?

11. I have desired your return, not your destruction.

12. If you will return unto me, I shall make a place for you at my table, and you shall sup with your fathers and mothers who have overcome evil from the beginning of time.

13. I have given you the keys through my beloved Son who is full of grace and truth.

14. The wise among you will embrace them and overcome the things of the world that distract and degrade my children.

15. As you are called, even as many that will hear my voice, to repent and keep my commandments, to come out of the world and receive gifts from on high that shall establish your heritage in me, shall have great joy in the grace that sets you free.

16. Go forth my children, and seek the gift of grace that all righteous saints have received before you.

17. Cease to grovel in the mire partaking of those things that would defile you and destroy your soul.

18. Blessed are those who hear my words and more blessed are those who do my will and enter into my rest. Amen ■

      "PROPHECY BEING FULFILLED"

And as he sat upon the mount of olive the disciples came to him privately  saying tell us when  shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age.  Matthew 24:3

  The question of the Disciples that day gave Jesus inspiration to explain the prophecies concerning the problems of the end times.

     As we witness the prophecies being fulfilling in our days to some who are not very close to the understanding of the scripture these brief message will open the eyes of some to the facts of the scriptures. Prophecy is not from man .

    Brethren have you heard about or witnessed any of these following sad event

1. A fatal disease claims dozen of lives.

2. A  famine sends hundreds of lives to their untimely grave.

3. An earthquake that kills thousands and left many homeless.

The events like these that we saw or heard in our days is a fact in believing the prophecy of the bible and all others books testify to the fact that were predicted for a time like this, called the last days.

    The purpose of this article is to bring those that are far away to God to get close and to let them know that we are in the last days. The children of Zion should get ready for the coming of the Lord and work the work of God while it is yet day.

   This is a report of a young lady who lost all of her parents in a fire and earthquake in one country. Recently she said she had lost her parents and all her friends in just in a few minutes in the unexpected earthquake that claimed many lives. If it were you among the victims, what would you say in the present of the Lord? Would you say the Lord is not good to you or the children of Zion for not visiting you to tell you about the kingdom of God and God’s program for the end times?

     All these events that are happening now is proof to you that the end is at hand and the children of the kingdom must work hard now for the kingdom and of  God’s Restoration, bringing lives back to God. This should be our last target now. God Bless

Adesina

                                                                    PRINCE OLUSOJI ADEYINKA

Ordination ceremony consecrating Brother Adeyinka to the office of Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ Restored 1830.  Brother Adeyinka will continue the work of Brothers Solomon and Benjameni to build and unify the church in Ghana.

He will lead the church in Ghana under the  guidance and council of Seventy Albert Adesuyi of Nigeria and High Priest Solomon Adesina of Ivory Coast.

The death of his predecessor, Elder Benjameni Adeleke was a great loss to the church, followed by the untimely death of his oldest son Koyode that magnifies the tragedy experienced by the Adeleke family.

 We call for prayers of all the saints that God will intercede into their lives to comfort and strengthen them in this time of deep loss.

Koyode Adeleke was to be baptized in January.

Our prayers will continue for the successful ministry of Brother Adeyinka and the Ghana church. ■

HISTORY

                            Murder in the Carthage Ill. Jail