6:26 (1Kgs. This is the crowning blessing of mortality. Where the Melchizedek Priesthood is, there is the Church and kingdom of God on earth; there is the gospel of salvation; and where there is no Melchizedek Priesthood, there is no true Church, and no power that will save men in the kingdom of God. As a certified leadership consultant Greg is the founder and president of weLEAD, Inc. Chartered in 2001, weLEAD is a 501 (3) (c) non . Verse Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,- King James Version with Apocrypha - American Edition The Holy Spirit rested down upon us, and we continued in the Lords House all night, prophesying and giving glory to God. Every man should be determined to place every thing on the altar even to the laying down of life itself for the gospel sake in order to be truly worthy of this blessing. TGTeachable. Our homes are always open, as are ourhearts. 1:13-14), -5 Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Christ also became the Firstborn from the dead, the first person resurrected, that in all things he might have the preeminence (Col. 1:18; Acts 26:23; 1 Cor. The Lord said, If you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; Iam the Firstborn; And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the Church of the Firstborn (D&C 93:20-22). As to these particulars, John says: Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus replied: What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. That is: You assume that I am acting only as any slave or host might, which is far from the case. 6 And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father. Required fields are marked *, RichardsonStudies.com C 2014-2023 by Nate Richardson. The Revelator says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy; so by your own mouth you are condemned. The knowledge of Christ in this context is the emulation of his life and teachings. ), -Let the anointing of thy ministers be sealed upon them with power from on high. (Declarations of the First Presidency on Temple Work, Vol 2:57), -Letter by First Presidency, to President Lewis Anderson, Manti: March 14, 1907 1. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. (Teachings, p. Jesus, who was an high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The influence of the Holy Ghost received by keeping the commandments also leads one to sanctification, or becoming holy and pure in heart, which involves forsaking all evil and learning to love and serve God with all [our] mights, minds, and strength. (D&C 20:31.) (Millennial Star Vol. 4:22. smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, Ex. this is down to the small details that some readers may be unaware of. (See Eph. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with areverence and godly bfear: Rom. 5:9-10), -But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2: 27), -On the 23rd, we again assembled in conference; when, after much speaking, singing, praying, and praising God, all in tongues, we proceeded to the washing of feet (according to the practice recorded in the 13th chapter of Johns Gospel), as commanded of the Lord. . They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things (See 2 Pet. Ordained in 1981, he has served in the ministry for 40-years and assumed the role of Pastor in January 2011. He shall then be ordained, washed, anointed with holy oil, and arrayed in fine linen, even in the glorious and beautiful garments and royal robes of the high priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God; and shall enter into the Holy of Holies, there to be crowned with authority and power which shall never end. 298.) It means yielding ones heart to God, becoming one with the Savior in building his kingdom, and working for the eventual establishment of Zion. It is a network of more than 100 churches in 20 US states. What Does the Old Testament Say About Hell? For behold, this is my work and my gloryto bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39.) We usually meet at Cliff and Loretta's house, but call ahead to confirmlocation. The scriptures suggest two sacred possibilities, once concerning the authority of God, especially as exercised in the temples, and the other closely related concerning exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Cliff and Loretta Kirkpatrick. 138 And ye shall not receive any among you into this school save he is clean from the blood of this generation; 36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. 1:3. The Church of the Firstborn is Christ's heavenly church, and its members are exalted beings who gain an inheritance in the highest heaven of the celestial world and for whom the family continues in eternity. Last Days Timeline of Rodney M. Cluff (9.6.20), Joel Skousen World affairs brief 11.18.22 on plural marriage rights, and the failure compromise that Christians just bought into with the gay rights bill in the senate, For Greater Glory Movie Highlights: The true story of the Cristeros (A Moroni-esque Christian Army vs Tyrannical Government), Pre-Existence by Ogden Kraut Book Highlights, The Gift of Dreams by Ogden Kraut Book Highlights, Plural Marriage in the Bible by Ogden Kraut Book Highlights, Celestial (Plural) Marriage by Orson Pratt Highlights, Abrahams Plural Marriages: Resolving Concerns, Problems with Michelle Stones 132 Problems Lecture Series Against Plural Marriage, The Angel with the Drawn Sword: Legitimate & Theologically Congruent, Davids Plural Marriage: Comparing Jacob 2 and D&C 132, Help For Parenting Children who are Depressed & Suicidal Adjustments in Family Standards (8.7.22), When Diagnosis and Medication are Possibly Good, Q&A with Jesse Fisher, Author of Champions for Zion on Teachings of Early LDS Leaders on Building Zion Economically & Otherwise. Met with the Quorum: Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate received their second anointing. 159. We have not desired as much from the hand of the Lord through faith and obedience, as we ought to have done, yet we have enjoyed great blessings, and we are not so sensible of this as we should be When or where has God suffered one of the witnesses or first Elders of this Church to fall? Of such faithful persons among the ancients, Alma says: They were called after this holy orderthat is, they held the Melchizedek Priesthoodand [they] were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. Name of man and wife or wives (dead or alive) to be annointed to him to be placed on usual recommend. 15:23; Rev. Parents in groups like this have been prosecuted and laws were enacted in Colorado . 12:22-23; JST Gen. 9:23; D&C 76:54, 63). (See D&C 76:5060.) Christopher Layton St Joseph 3:2226.) Given only to couples (for the dead), who are faithful and lived together in life. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things. They are men who since the days of their youth have held the priesthood of God, have walked in its light, and have magnified their callings. We usually meet at Cliff and Loretta's house, but call ahead to confirm location. Thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity, the Lord said to Adam. It is calculated to unite our hearts, that we may be one in feeling and sentiment, and that our faith may be strong, so that Satan cannot overthrow us, nor have any power over us here. The Church of the Firstborn is Christ's heavenly church, and its members are exalted beings who gain an inheritance in the highest heaven of the celestial world and for whom the family continues in eternity. I blessed the bread and wine in the name of the Lord, when we all ate and drank, and were filled; then we sung a hymn, and the meeting adjourned. L. John Nuttall Kanab The Prophet Joseph Smiths exhortation to press forward to this goal of assured exaltation is as follows: Larson Emery 11:15.) Having continued all day in fasting, and prayer, and ordinances, we closed by partaking of the Lords supper. The General Assembly Church of the Firstborn. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. Joseph F. Smith F. Smith then made a few remarks on the Subject of the Second Anointing. And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. When persons have proved themselves faithful in all things required by the Lord, it is their privilege to receive covenants and obligations that will enable them to be heirs of God as members of the Church of the Firstborn. Brethren | Church Camp | Ski Weekend | Directory of Churches | History, To send us an e-mail, click this link: cliffandloretta@icloud.com The question is frequently asked, Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances? I would answer, No, not the fulness of salvation. However, in addition to these required qualities of character, those who would have hope of the calling and election made sure must also receive the ordinances of salvation (exaltation) in the temple of God. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem, Ex. ), -And again I bear record of heavenly things, The way to this blessing, he said, is through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. (2 Pet. 1:3.) It consists, first, of the continuation of the family unit in eternity, and second, of an inheritance of the fulness of the glory of the Father. (History of the Church, 6: 251, 253. The elders of the Homestead church, Alonzo McCoy (18711955), John F. Keltch (18521929), and Con's brother Tom Smith (18551921), with other churches such as the one in Indianapolis, sent to Washington D.C. a request, dated 14 September 1918, for national recognition as a church for the purposes of claiming religious exemptions for military service. (See, e.g., Titus 1:12.) I met some such the other day when I was at the St. George Temple. ), -Oct 11th we were invited to the endowment house, where we were told that a school of the Prophets would be organized and that only those who are willing to observe the word of wisdom and observe all other laws, God has given us, could be admitted. He preached the gospel; so can we. . (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Magnify Your Calling,), -1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; After looking at things, let us know what we might add and how we can improve things. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Pet. 4:18 (1719). (History of the Church, 7: 281), -This great and good man (Joseph Smith) was led, before his death, to call the Twelve together, from time to time, and to instruct them in all things pertaining to the kingdom, ordinances, and government of God. As expressed by Elder Bruce R. McConkie: But there must be a holy place prepared for that purpose. . And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; all the churches shall know that I am he, Rev. Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. Blessing six: We can enter into the patriarchal order, the order of eternal marriage, the order which enables the family unit to continue everlastingly in celestial glory. Although the process of obtaining exaltation continues even into the spirit world, the knowledge that one will become exalted with the privileges of continuing on to eternal life can be certain in this life. When the Holy Spirit of Promise (which is the Holy Ghost) justifies a persons performance with respect to a covenant entered into, that performance is ratified, making the covenant effective for salvation. His preaching partners included Marion Reece, Burton, and Frank Shanks. Salt Lake City, 1973. [O]ur witness [in the sacrament] relates to some future event or status who attainment is not self assumed, but depends on the authority or initiative of the Savior himself. Then the Lordto show the binding nature of his promiseswears with an oath that the promised reward shall be obtained. (Declarations of the First Presidency on Temple Work, Vol 3:144), -Bishops are not to issue recommends for second annointings: that is the province of Presidents of Stakes, under approval of the President of the Church, and the individuals selected must not be informed until after the issuance of such recommend. We have been endowed with power from on high. -celestial heirs are Church of Firstborn: D&C 76:54, 67, 71, 94 . 18 For ye are not come unto the amount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest. Both men and women receive the blessings of the fullness of the priesthood in the temple, even though women are not ordained to the priesthood; for as President Joseph Fielding Smith said: Wm Budge Prest of Bear Lake Stake Among the number, my father presented himself, but before I washed his feet, I asked of him a fathers blessing, which he granted by laying his hands upon my head, in the name of Jesus Christ, and declaring that I should continue in the Priests office until Christ comes. and in it we must attend to the ordinance of washing of feet. Wednesday, 30. Levi W. Shurtliff Weber . 10:36. make him my firstborn, higher than the kings, Ps. 7:3.) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bookcraft, 1973, 3:33031.) Patriarch Zebedee Coltrin, who was the only surviving member of the school of the Prophets organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland washed the feet of President John Taylor and Prest Taylor in turn washed the feet of Zebedee Coltrin and then the feet of his Counselors, then of ten of the Apostles (Elders C C Rich and John H. Smith being absent the former sick, the later presiding in England) then the feet of Counselor D H. Wells (J W Young absent). Peter made it clear that a testimony of Jesus Christ is not in itself evidence that ones calling and election has been made sure. And in conclusion, well might we ask: If true disciples are to wash each others feet, where among the sects of Christendom is this done? 31 I met with the Quorum at my house. In this regard, Joseph Smith said: Smith, Joseph Fielding. 7 If ye aendure bchastening, God dealeth with you as with csons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? calling and election made sure We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this. Note: Not all churches using the name Church of the First Born or General Assembly are affiliated with this group. They will be priests and priestesses, kings and queens, receiving the Fathers glory, having the fulness of knowledge, wisdom, power, and dominion (D&C 76:56-62; cf. Thus the knowledge relative to the washing of feet has been revealed step by step in this day until a full knowledge is now incorporated in the revealed ordinances of the Lords house. 31:9. give my firstborn for my transgression, Micah 6:7. till she had brought forth her firstborn son, Matt. 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev. Vision given to Cheri Watson - 07/06/2005 (David's notes in red) I had a vision of a castle, with a city surrounding it, suspended just above a mountain in a layer of clouds. Willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ can therefore be understood as willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ. From these two men, the Church of the First Born and the General Assembly of Heaven began. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. . But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure. Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fullness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage. 1, 708), -CALLING AND ELECTION Eternal life is the name of the kind of life God lives. Joseph Smith himself was told by the Lord that he had been sealed unto exaltation and that the Lord had prepared a throne for him in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father. (D&C 132:49; see also Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:34750 for further discussion.) Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods who shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. (D&C 76:55, 58, 62.) House here named should have been translated kingdom; and any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a celestial law, and the whole law too. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 331), -(Sunday) Preached in the city. 2:23. spake of the brethren of the church, 1 Ne. . Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. 13:13 (Num. George Q. Cannon This last key of the priesthood is the most sacred of all, and pertains exclusively to the first presidency of the church, without whose sanction and approval or authority, no sealing blessing shall be administered pertaining to things of the resurrection and the life to come. 10:36. make him my firstborn, higher than the kings, Ps. During the latter years of his ministry, in particular, the Prophet Joseph Smith pleaded fervently with the Saints to press forward in righteousness until they made their calling and election sure, until they heard the heavenly voice proclaim: Son, thou shalt be exalted. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. Theologically the movement is considered to be a cult of Christianity. . (see also Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. As the sons of God, we also have power to advance and progress until we become joint-heirs with Christ, until we have conformed to the image of Gods Son, as Paul expressed it. ) (Accepted of the Lord: Making Your Calling and Election Sure by Roy W. Doxey, Ensign, July 1976. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1976/07/accepted-of-the-lord-the-doctrine-of-making-your-calling-and-election-sure?lang=eng, -The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure. It is an eternal ordinance, with eternal import, understood only by enlightened saints. In a glorious sermon preached by the Prophet Joseph Smith, this same fundamental purpose of earth life was expressedexcept that this time the other side of the matter, mankinds responsibility, was emphasized: You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. The rich cannot be saved without charity, giving to feed the poor when and how God requires, as well as building. . The Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times has its headquarters in northern Mexico. These, then, are the ten blessings of the priesthood, the Holy Priesthood, after the order of the Son of God, the priesthood which the saints in ancient days called after Melchizedek to avoid the too frequent repetition of the name of Deity. . Smoot Utah Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. (Teachings, p. Partaking of the Lords supper sons thou shalt redeem, Ex small details that some readers may unaware. Two men, the Church of the Prophet Joseph Smith said: Smith, p. the... For the dead ), who are faithful and lived together in life continued day... 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