Wednesday, April 29, 2015

ENTRY 14 THE VEIL

What is the veil?

It is the barrier between us and God.
It is the barrier of unbelief.
It is the barrier of sin.
It is unrelated to death and may be removed before death. Likewise it may continue after death.
Without the removal of this veil, you remain in the fallen condition established by Adam and Eve.
It is necessary to pass through this veil while in mortality to receive the full measure of what God offers through the Atonement of Christ.

From the Lectures on Faith, we receive the following explanation that the veil symbolized in the temple is a representation of the veil that separates us from God. Remember that in the temple you are to consider yourself as if you are Adam and Eve.  What separates them from God also separates you from God.  Whatever restores them to God also restores you.   For this reason, the analogies of Adam and Eve in the scriptures are intended as a guide for your own life. 

Before there was sin in Adam and Eve, they were able to speak with God face to face.  They had a family relationship.  And so did you.

“From the foregoing we learn man’s situation at his first creation, the knowledge with which he was endowed, and the high and exalted station in which he was placed – lord or governor of all things on earth, and at the same time enjoying communion and intercourse with his Maker, without a vail to separate between.  We shall next proceed to examine the account given of his fall, and of his being driven out of the garden of Eden, and from the presence of the Lord.” (LOF 2:12)

After Adam and Eve took upon themselves the sinful condition, they fell.  The fall means to be removed from the presence of God.  The family relationship is broken and they are no longer able to see God.  Just as they were cut off from God, so are you.  We are fallen as they were.

“And then the angel spake, saying, This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth; wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest, in the name of the Son.  And thou shalt repent, and call upon God, in the name of the Son for evermore.  And in that day, the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son.”

“This last quotation, or summary, shows this important fact, that though our first parents were driven out of the garden of Eden, and were even separated from the presence of God by a vail, they still retained a knowledge of his existence, and that sufficiently to move them to call upon him.  And further, that no sooner was the plan of redemption revealed to man, and he began to call upon God, than the Holy Spirit was given, bearing record of the Father and Son.” (LOF 2:24-25)

The Only Begotten of the Father is the means provided to remedy the separation between us and God.  Christ has the purpose of bringing us through the veil.  Christ removes the sinfulness of our condition and restores the family relationship with God once again. We must call on him for help. 

The Holy Spirit is the witness that there is a Father and a Son.  The witness of the Spirit is given to those who repent and call upon God.  The starting point is simple.  Let the desire to repent settle into your heart and call upon God. 

Religions make this process too complicated.  Religious organizations seek to supplant God by becoming the voice of God for you.  If you will let them, the churches will give you the promise of being led to God and yet they will prevent you from finding God.  This occurs if you misplace your trust and rely on everything taught by a religious authority.  Their preoccupation with Authority is the evidence that they cannot lead you to Christ.  The humble followers of Christ have no interest in Authority because they are filled with God’s light.  They never thirst and therefore are not jealous of the gifts of God made manifest in others.  But the Religious are not filled with light and they thirst and hunger.  They seek to fill their needs by obtaining authority.  They do this by creating a list of rules for you to keep that will hold you in compliance with their law and keep you held under their authority.  Although they may pretend to speak in the name of God, nothing is of God except that which comes from His own voice.  Their inspirational messages may be good words, but the application of a true message from God can only be understood through direct communication with God.  You do not need a Religion to find God, but you do need Christ to find God. 

Already you know your failings and sins.  Let Christ teach you how to overcome these by going directly to Him and those things which He tells You personally, do those things.  By this means, you begin to hear His voice through the veil.  He prepares you to return to him as you hearken to the words He delivers to you.  It is true that He may deliver His words to you through a religious speaker or a religious book or a religious ceremony.  It is also true that He may deliver His words through a family member or through a friend or through a neighbor.  However, God’s most meaningful messages are those He delivers through a stranger or through an enemy or through a source you formerly thought was incapable of representing God in any manner.  He seems to delight in this manner of delivery for the purpose of testing your humility and breaking you of your pride.  The messenger is not important.  Ignore the messenger.  Only the message matters.  Look for messages from God and he will guide you.

The Holy Spirit is that which gives witness of God the Father and His son Jesus Christ.  That witness is received as you hearken to the voice of God.  Again notice that it is not given by a church organization.  “And further, that no sooner was the plan of redemption revealed to man, and he began to call upon God, than the Holy Spirit was given, bearing record of the Father and Son.” It is given immediately as you follow through with whatever it is God has asked of you to do TODAY. That is how you receive the Holy Ghost.  The Holy Ghost does not come by authority of man.  It comes as a result of obedience to God.

The intention of Christ is to remove that veil while here in this mortal life.  Notice the experience of the Brother of Jared:

“18 And he ministered unto him even as he ministered unto the Nephites; and all this, that this man might know that he was God, because of the many great works which the Lord had showed unto him.

19 And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.

20 Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.

God is no respecter of persons and makes the same opportunities available to every soul.  He works in one eternal round, meaning that the patterns of our lives are the same as the patterns of the past.  So too, God is a God of Justice, meaning that He established the same laws for you that He has for other souls.  And God is a God of Mercy, meaning that He is able to remove the conditions of a fallen nature for those who come to Him with humility.  God is a God of Love or in other words, He is a Father who has a pure love for His children and seeks to re-establish the family relationship.  For all these qualities of God, we can trust that He desires to remove the separation between us and Him.   

It has often been taught that the removal of the veil while in the mortal life is unnecessary.  Here is an example of such a teaching:


Richard E Turley: {59:13}
Another claim is that the church is not teaching what is necessary for exaltation, for example, some say that only those who see the face of Jesus Christ in mortality will receive Celestial Glory.
Dallin H. Oaks: {1:00:36}
Of course, all of the righteous desire to see the face of our Savior, but the suggestions that this must happen in mortality is a familiar tactic of the adversary. To identify a worthy goal, such as to achieve exaltation, and then to use the desirability of that goal and people’s enthusiasm for it to obscure [the Lord’s intended way by] the new means the adversary suggests to achieve it [is a familiar tactic]. The means are important, even vital. As the Lord said in another setting, ‘it must needs be done in mine own way.’
(Boise Rescue Transcript, June 2015)

My earliest memories are of general conference Saturdays, hanging out at grandma’s house, eating popcorn and listening to Dallin H. Oaks.  He has been one of my favorite apostles since childhood.  He has a lot of authority as far as church members are concerned. Much of what he discusses would be a counterpoint to what I am suggesting.    If you feel I deserve a rebuke for teaching that you may receive the Savior while in this life, then Oak’s words may appeal to you.  If you would like to read the remainder of Dallin H. Oaks discussion, you may find it at the following link:  



However, in this particular issue, I disagree with his assertion that it is the Adversary who teaches us to seek the face of the Savior while in this life.  Apostle Oaks, it is a doctrine of the devil to seek the Lord while in mortality?  Of course it must be done in the Lord’s way.  Of course it must be at the Lord’s discretion, according to His wisdom.  Of course our patience will be tried in the process.  Of course it is with humility that we would seek for Him.  On this point, I agree and I think that the caution is well deserved.  But “the adversary” would encourage us to seek for the Lord while in this life to distract us away from the Lord?  Too many scriptures say otherwise.  Here are a few scriptures that encourage us to actively seek the Lord while in this life:

D&C 93:1
Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;  And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
John 14:22-23
 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
And more from John 14 shows the purpose of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is to lead us to the finish line of entering into the presence of God the Father. It does this by teaching all things and bringing to remembrance all things. 
 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The veil remains because of unbelief.  We doubt the promises of God and therefore we do not even try to return to Him.  We are raised in a world where few have these experiences and so we think that the way things are is the way things are supposed to be.  But those who have seen the Lord, try to awaken us to the offer of God that we can return to Him.  It is necessary to remember that the veil must be overcome and passed through while you are in this mortal life:


6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness--yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—(Alma 19:6)


14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.

15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you--yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed. (Ether 4:14)

The removal of this barrier between you and God is the purpose of the Atonement.  The temple veil was rent at the death of Christ, showing that his sacrifice is the means provided to pass through that barrier between you and God:

50 ¶Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,(Matthew 27:50-52)

And finally, here is one more witness that we are meant to pass through the veil while in this day of mortality:




ENTRY 13 FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD

What is the fulness of the priesthood?

It is to receive power to seal on earth and heaven.  This power can only be given directly by the Lord in person.

Joseph Smith received this power directly from the Lord.

46 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven.

47 And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and whomsoever you curse I will curse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord, am thy God.

48 And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.

49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father.

50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.(D&C 132:46-50)

Nephi also received this sealing power directly by the voice of the Lord:

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.

7 Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people.

8 And thus, if ye shall say unto this temple it shall be rent in twain, it shall be done.

9 And if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou cast down and become smooth, it shall be done.

10 And behold, if ye shall say that God shall smite this people, it shall come to pass.(Heleman 10:4-1)

Peter also received this same promises directly from Christ:

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:17-19)

The fulness of the priesthood can only be had directly from the Christ.  Once received, its purpose is to allow the receiver to prepare others to receive the Christ.  That is to say, literally in person to receive the Christ.  This is explained in Doctrine and Covenants 84.

5 For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

6 And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro;

7 And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;

8 And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;

9 And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;

10 And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;

11 And Gad under the hand of Esaias;

12 And Esaias received it under the hand of God.

13 Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him--

14 Which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah;

15 And from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers;

16 And from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother, who received the priesthood by the commandments of God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man--

17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.

18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

From this we learn that there is a priesthood that is passed from man to man but it is a lesser priesthood for the purpose of preparation.  Even the ministration of the angels is a lesser and preparatory form.  The fulness of that priesthood is fulfilled in the presence of God.  This Moses plainly taught but the people rejected it.  Because of that rejection they were given the lesser that perhaps some might take up the invitation to receive the greater.  As the children of Israel did, so too did the children of Nauvoo.  Joseph was taken out of their midst and we were left with the lesser priesthood for the purpose of preparing us to receive the greater...if we will repent.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

ENTRY 12 SHARP WORDS


His Word is Sharp

Knives can be threatening.  Knives can be redemptive.

A surgeon removing a tumor is not the same thing as a thug stabbing someone for their wallet.  So too, what one calls Negative Thinking can actually to another be contemplative reflection and self-examination leading to corrective action to remove falsehoods from one’s life.  Acknowledging the falsehoods in the traditions of our fathers is not to condemn the fathers but to redeem them by taking the first step of repentance...which is recognition.  To recognize the error allows one to correct the error.  It is the beginning of Repentance.

For this reason it was said “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Therefore I ask you, don’t walk out on the conversation and dismiss it as “Negative Thinking”.  If we both seek for truth, let us reason together that we may both discover our errors and repent.

ENTRY 11 PARABLE OF THE JURY





Parable of the Jury

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I ask you today to consider a very important submission of evidence.  This is evidence upon which this case may very well be decided.  It is evidence which indeed proves the truth and is sufficient to close the case.  Yet there are many more witnesses and a lot more evidence which could be examined.  Today’s submission is not the sole proving factor.  Additional details will certainly be brought forth at a later time.  However, today’s submission is a sufficient proving factor in and of itself.

As you see the documentation that will be presented to you, I ask you for a favor.  Please set aside any preconceived notions you may have.  And please…this is very important…wait to hear all of the presentation before you formulate a conclusion.  Equally important is that at this time, you do not let fear interfere with your ability to weigh the truth.  The problem that will confront you as you examine the truth is that if this evidence proves to be true, there are consequences which may have significant impact on the lives of many souls.  

As a jury you are well aware of the potential consequences that may follow your decisions in this case.  I know that each of you take that very seriously, as you should.  Do not let fear of the possible reactions of others interfere with your God-given capacity to hear and recognize truth.  Do not let prejudice formed by long standing traditions prohibit you in your duty to formulate judgement with integrity.   Be willing to admit your own mistakes of the past and let them go as you see new evidence brought into the light line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little until you have received a full understanding.

Now I know I am just a dirty lawyer…[One stifled chuckle is heard from the back]… But all I want is to see that TRUTH is brought forward and future decisions are based upon the TRUTH.  If I am wrong, I want that evidence to be presented.  And if I am right, I hope that evidence will be considered.  We will deal with the implications as the consequences present themselves to us.  Again I ask you, do not let fear prejudice your ability to listen to the truth.  Be fearless, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Hear the truth, consider the truth, and speak the truth.  Do not throw out all evidence for fear that there are some lies among the evidence presented by others, but rather learn to detect the lies and to discern the truth.  That is really all that has ever been asked of you.  Are we in agreement in this?

Yes?  Very good.  Then let us begin at once.

You have each been presented with a book at the beginning of this case.  All parties involved have referenced this book many times.  As a jury you have actually been instructed to read and ponder and pray regarding the material within that book.  Now today, we will examine specific entries. 

Turn to the document entitled Doctrine and Covenants Section 124: 28 through 55.

At this time, please read the entirety of the text in full to get an understanding of the overall context.  We will wait and give you as much time as you need.  It is critical as we review any of these sources that we do not lose context in which the documents were written.  This includes both the internal context within the text itself as well as the external context in which the document was presented.  Today we will examine both.  For that reason, I ask you to read the verses enclosed below at this time.

[Waits patiently for all to read]

“ 28 For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood.
 29 For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead—
 30 For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.
 31 But I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.
 32 But behold, at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me; and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead, saith the Lord your God.
 33 For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house to me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me;
 34 For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory.
 35 And after this time, your baptisms for the dead, by those who are scattered abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.
 36 For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.
 37 And again, verily I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me, except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name?
 38 For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise, that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.
 39 Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.
 40 And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people;
 41 For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.
 42 And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built.
 43 And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it, for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to build it.
 44 If ye labor with all your might, I will consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy.
 45 And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
 46 But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute mine holy grounds, and mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which I give unto them.
 47 And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.
 48 For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practice before me, saith the Lord.
 49 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.
 50 And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God.
 51 Therefore, for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God.
 52 And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing, and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord your God.
 53 And this I make an example unto you, for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression, saith the Lord your God.
 54 For I am the Lord your God, and will save all those of your brethren who have been pure in heart, and have been slain in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord.
 55 And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.”  (D&C 124:28-55)

[A moment of silent reading passes]

Some of you have been tempted to skim through quickly and have generally skipped over the passage.  Once again I must remind you that as entertaining as my narration of the text might be, it is critical that you have a personal understanding of the text for yourself.   I would ask you to carefully review it again.  Others of you have spent a great deal of time reading the book as whole and are well versed in the history of the church.  You know doubt feel that you already know exactly what the text says and have no need to read it again.  May I ask you as well, to please take the time to read the passage as if you had never seen it before.  Do so prayerfully and with the idea in mind that you do not fully understand it but are attempting to do so.  Assume nothing!  Do not even assume the most basic meaning of the English words, but consider everything as if it is new to you.  This is the approach all who would be taught by the Lord through the scriptures must take.  Again I will give you more time to review.

[More time passes.  Upon seeing the last individual to look up from the pages and make eye contact, begins again]

This is given in January of 1841.  This is Joseph Smith as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints providing a revelation to the members of the church.  Now I do not know your specific beliefs about Joseph Smith or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Your beliefs, thoughts, and feelings may vary widely from that of your fellow jurors.  For our purposes in examining this information, it isn’t necessary that we agree on everything.   You may differ.  You may agree.  I may differ.  I may agree.  However, in 1841, the audience receiving these words…they believed it was true information from God.  We only need to understand that the people of Nauvoo accepted this as a revelation from God to them.  They took upon themselves this as an obligation from God to them and it is by their own standard that we are to examine their own efforts as it relates to the story they have left behind for us. 

“For there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even a fulness of the priesthood.” (D&C 124:28)

What did they, the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints lose at some point before January 1841?  It is something they had previously!  Otherwise it could not have been lost. Nor would it need to be restored again, unless it had actually been tangibly lost.  In fact, it was not just lost…it was actually taken away! 

Who took it away?  As the people of Nauvoo accepted this as a revelation from the Lord, then we are to understand that the Lord took it away.  They accepted Jesus Christ as The Lord.  Therefore Christ took something away from them.  And He did not leave us to guess what it was that was lost.  We see that it was the “fulness of the priesthood”.

They had lost the Fullness of the Priesthood!

In a moment we will take the time to define the phrase “Fulness of the Priesthood”.  We must study that out carefully to determine just exactly what was lost (D&C 128:6-14).  However, for this moment, I want to ask you a question to ponder over as you research this topic.  Also, I want to pose this same question to the Prosecution who dragged my Defendant into this courtroom for these trialsome proceedings.    Where is the revelation that has restored the Fulness of the Priesthood?

Where is the revelation after 1841 that restored that which was lost and was even taken away by the Lord?

If the Lord gave it to begin with and the Lord promised to restore it after they met certain conditions; then if they met those conditions there ought to be a revelation declaring that restoration to enough of the individuals involved that the church could be said to once again have the fulness of the priesthood.   The fact of the matter is that fulness of the priesthood was not restored to the group as a whole.  It can only be obtained on a case by case basis until a sufficient number can together constitute the whole.  This is why all evidence in regards to fulness of the priesthood relates to one man receiving it.   That is to say one man at a time, case by case.   My client maintains that fulness of the priesthood can indeed be received on a personal basis directly from the Lord.  However, the Prosecution declares that belief heresy by insisting that only they themselves as an institution can authorize the use of any Priesthood, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men (2 Nephi 28:5).  As we see from the following, such a claim is faulty:

“And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever”(2 Nephi 29:9).


There is evidence of an attempted cover up to mask the fact that there was a loss of the fulness of the priesthood among the individual members of the group.  For an example of this cover up, turn to the index of the same book (Doctrine and Covenants).  Find the entry titled “Fulness”.  Search down the “Fulness” entry until you read the reference for D&C 124:28.  What does it state?  In my 1986 edition it states:

“f. of priesthood revealed”

Which has the following meaning:

“fulness of priesthood revealed”

Why doesn’t this entry state: “fulness of the priesthood lost”?  Verse 28 does not say anything about revealing the fulness of the priesthood.  In fact, it states the opposite.  It states that the fulness of the priesthood is taken away!  The exact opposite of revealed.  And yet the index attempts to obscure the meaning and lead us into an opposite conclusion if we are not careful.  Is the index entry intentionally misleading or is it a subconscious blinder to the actual information contained in the referenced revelation?
                                 
Next reference D&C 1:30 in which it is stated “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually.”  This was the revelation of November 1831.

Something happened between November 1831 and January 1841 that displeased the Lord in regards to the church as whole.  So much so that He took away the fulness of the priesthood from so many individuals that the whole of them were described as having lost the fulness of the priesthood.  We have no indication that He gave it back to a sufficient number of individuals that the church at any time since could be described as retaining the fulness of the priesthood. 

Now for a moment, consider the phrasing of D&C 1:30 wherein it states the terms “collectively and not individually”.  In this case the Lord was pleased with the church collectively but not necessarily with the members individually.  Could the inverse be true?  Can the Lord be pleased with members individually but not the church collectively?  Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I propose that the inverse can be true and that Section 124 demonstrates this.

Examine D&C 124:49 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.”

Now cross reference D&C 124:1 “Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.”

There are many individuals who received a personalized message from the Lord in Section 124.  Very few received a message that their offering was accepted by the Lord, but Joseph did!  Collectively the church had placed itself under condemnation (See D&C 88:55-59), but on an individual basis, relief from the condemnation was and is still available (D&C 132: 46-50).

Furthermore in regards to this consideration, take notice of the verse following:  “And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not and hate me, saith the Lord God.” (D&C 124:50).

Cross reference that with verses 44 and 45 “If ye labor with all your might, I will consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy.  And if my people will hearken to my voice and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.”

Who is it that hindered the work?  Really, who actually?  Was it the Missourian mob?  Or was it the Missourian Saints?  Who is the enemy alluded to in verse 51?  Well, the answer should be plain enough.  God gave a promise that if the members will hearken to God’s voice and to the voice of His servants, and if they actually did so, they would not have been “moved out of their place”.  It made no difference what the mobs of Missouri may have attempted to do, God would have protected the people and their work by His own promise and the work would not be hindered.  It could not be hindered!  Therefore the only enemy with any real capacity to hinder the work was the Saints themselves.  Their weapons to hinder the work are listed in Section 124:46-47:

“Not hearken to the Lord’s voice”
“Nor unto the voice of these men whom the Lord appointed”
“Polluting the Lord’s holy grounds”
“Polluting the Lord’s holy ordinances”
“Polluting the Lord’s holy charters”
“Polluting the Lord’s holy words which He gave them”

By use of these tools the work could be hindered, and only by these tools.  Only the members of the church had any capacity to handle and use these tools.  Only the members had any real ability to commit the crime (sin).

There is a condemnation warned of in Verse 50 in which the Lord declares: “And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God.”  This refers particularly to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other Mormon denominations and the descendants thereof.  That is to say that the cursing pronounced is placed directly upon the descendants of the Nauvoo church.  The church is under condemnation, not the Missouri citizens, not the Missouri mob, not the Federal Government.  None of these could have raised up a sufficient opposition to challenge God who promised that “they shall not be moved out of their place” unless “they will not hearken to my voice”.

This raises the question, were they moved out of their place?  Did the church founded by Joseph Smith that was built up in Nauvoo and promised that it would not be moved out of its place if it would hearken, was it actually moved out of its place?

We know that they were not just moved, but also driven out of their place.

Only the members of the church had any real potential to hinder the work due to the stipulations and conditions necessary to accomplish that work.  This is a fact identified by the Lord Himself in verses 31-32:  “But I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.  But behold , at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me; and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead, saith the Lord your God.

The church may have been acceptable in 1831 (D&C 1:30), but by 1841 it had lost the fulness of the priesthood and was in jeopardy of being rejected as a whole.  The only individuals with capacity to thwart that rejection were the members of the church, if they met certain conditions.

One condition was tangible and easily measurable.  That condition was to “build a house unto my name [the Lord]” in “sufficient time”.  That one condition, if they could meet it, Ladies and Gentlemen, would be sufficient according to the revelation to demonstrate that they do in fact hearken unto the Lord.  That they do in fact, hearken unto the servants that He appoints.  That they do not pollute His holy grounds, holy ordinances and charters, nor His holy words.

And this Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury is the burden that is before us today.  We must answer this question and we must answer it honestly.  Did the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints build the temple in the appointed time?

[Dramatic pause created by reaching for a drink of water]

I am going to state the question again, because it is the critical element that must be determined in deciding this case correctly.  Did the church in Nauvoo build the temple in the appointed time?

Now before we present the evidence, let us lay out the scale by which we may determine if the early members met the terms offered by God or if they did not.  Here are the terms:

Requirement 1

“And again, verily I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar.  And send ye swift messengers, and say unto them:  Come ye, with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities; and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come, and bring the box- tree, and the fir-tree, and the pine-tree, together with all the precious trees of the earth; And with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious trees of the earth; and build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein.”(D&C 124:25-27)

They are to build a house for the Most High to dwell in.  This is to be a temple.  We see in the entry a list of materials mirroring the construction of the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6) or the temple of Nephi (2 NE 5:16), and also like unto the Tabernacle of Moses (D&C 124:38).  The purpose of this temple would be for the Most High to dwell therein.  To “dwell therein” would at a minimum require that the Lord actually visit the people within the halls of the temple.

Requirement 2

The temple is to be constructed within a certain time period.  Not an indefinite time period, rather a “sufficient time to build a house unto me”.  This is designated by the Lord.  The temple must be completed by the deadline set by the Lord.

Notice in what we have just read that the wages received unto the church members is to be paid out in the form of “Baptisms for the Dead”.  During the grace period given to build the temple, the Lord states that He will accept their Baptisms for the Dead outside the temple, in the rivers as they had previously practiced.  This practice was acceptable to the Lord “only in the days of your poverty”.  However if the members did not complete the temple in the appointed time, He declared the Baptisms for the Dead would not be acceptable unto Him.  If they did not meet the appointed time to build the temple, then the payout would no longer be received.  There was a time appointed and Baptism for the Dead marked the grace period of that time.

Notice the seriousness of this clause in the contract.  It is a three-fold warning pronounced by the Lord. 

(Verse 32)  “if you do not these things at the end of the appointment, ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead, saith the Lord your God.”

(Verse 33) “For verily I say unto you that after you have had sufficient time to build a house unto me…your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.”

(Verse 35) “And after this time, your baptisms for the dead, by those who are abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.”

This is not something buried in the fine print!  This is not nit-picking the details, nor is it taking it out of context!  The Lord makes the terms very explicit.  Build the temple in the time designated.  If you do so, then Baptism for the Dead outside the temple will be acceptable before the temple is built and inside the temple after it is completed.  But once the time has expired, Baptism for the Dead is no longer acceptable, neither in the temple nor outside the temple.

Requirement 3

“And I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place thereon it shall be built.” (D&C 124:42)

Joseph is the designated General Contractor.  No other individual is designated to receive the blue prints and authorization to construct this particular edifice.

Requirement 4

“And ye shall build it on the place where you have contemplated building it, for that is the spot which I have chosen for you to build it.” (D&C 124:43)

Nauvoo is the designated place.  No other place is indicated will be acceptable in the revelation.  That place is Nauvoo.  No other temple can meet the requirement.  Nauvoo is the spot.

Nauvoo is the spot.  There is a sufficient but limited time period.  Joseph will be shown how to accomplish the work.  Those are the terms.

Next review the additional benefits if they meet the conditions. 

Benefit 1

“If ye labor with all your might, I will consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy.” (D&C 124:44)

Benefit 2

“And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.” (D&C 124:45)

Benefit 3

“For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things pertaining to the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (D&C 124:41)

If acceptance of the ordinance of Baptism of the Dead could be considered the salary for the Saints of Nauvoo, then these three would constitute the Bonus after the completion of the work.  The temple would be made holy, they would not be moved out of their place and things revealed which have been kept hid since the foundation of the earth would be given. 

Let us also take note of how the final inspection and acceptance of the House is conducted.  Turn your attention now to the Dedication of the Kirtland Temple.  “Thanks be to thy name, O Lord God of Israel, who keepest covenant and showest mercy unto thy servant s who walk uprightly before thee, with all their hearts---Thou who hast commanded thy servants to build a house to thy name in this place [Kirtland].  And now thou beholdest, O Lord, that thy servants have done according to thy commandment.  And now we ask thee, Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ , the Son of thy bosom, in whose name alone salvation can be administered to the children of men, we ask thee, O Lord, to accept this house, the workmanship of the hands of us, thy servants, which thou didst command us to build.”

Did the Lord actually accept this house in Kirtland?  What manner did the Lord demonstrate His acceptance of the House?

“The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.  We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.  His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am your advocate with the Father.  Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.  Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. 

For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.   Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.  Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.  And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people.  Even so.  Amen.” (D&C 110:1-10)

Here is an example of how the Lord accepted the temple.  The literal appearing of the Lord marks the acceptance of the House.  He stated it during a personal visitation to the House wherein He would dwell.    “I have accepted this house” (D&C 110:7). 

And to prevent any misunderstanding, He clarifies what this means.  “Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.”(D&C 110:8) 

He will appear.  He will speak.  He will speak with his own voice.  This is the exchange that marks the acceptance of the work after it is completed.

The Nauvoo temple received no such visitation and no such acceptance.

Returning our attention back to the Nauvoo temple, we find the following verse “And again, I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me, except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name?” (D&C 124:37)

There is that word again…”acceptable”.  How does the Lord demonstrate His acceptance?  In Kirtland, He came in person and declared, “I accept it”.  Therefore if the “washings” are only acceptable in a house built unto His name. Can the washings begin in the house before the house is acceptable as indicated by a visitation from the Lord?  The validity of the washings is in doubt if it is performed in the temple which has not been “accepted” by the Lord. 

Unfortunately, that is precisely what occurred.  You see in January of 1841, they were commanded to build the temple.  During that grace period, baptisms in the Missouri River were acceptable.  Ten months later, October 1841, Baptisms in the Missouri River were no longer acceptable.  The temple was not anywhere near completion.  The saints had not put their best effort into building the temple.  The “salary” was retracted.  The saints of Nauvoo were troubled when Joseph announced in the October 1841 conference that at that moment there would be no more baptisms (for the dead) until after the temple was completed.  They had already received fair compensation, now it was time for them to actually perform their own part of the agreement.  Thus far, they had failed in their part of the agreement. 

This is not a personal interpretation of the events.  This is the actual history of the church.  You will find it in the record offered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as their own version of events.  See page 426 in Volume 4 of the record titled “History of the Church”.  Keeping in mind that in this account, the church put forth the record events in a manner that placed it in the greatest light possible.  In the retelling of its own history, the church admits that the Baptisms for the Dead were taken away from them in October 1841.

“According to the minutes of the church held in Nauvoo on October 2 1841, the Prophet declared it was the Lord’s will that baptisms for the dead stop until they could be performed in His house” (History of the Church, 4:426).

Now consider Exhibit One.  The Times and Seasons of October 1841.

This issue of the periodical was published as a report of the General Conference of 1841.  In this conference Joseph Smith and members of the quorum of the twelve spoke to the members of the Church.    For modern day members of the Church, this periodical would be the equivalent of the General Conference issue of the Ensign Magazine.  Ten months after the revelation was given that Nauvoo saints had a limited time to build the temple or else the Baptisms for the Dead would not be acceptable the prophet makes the following announcement in Conference as reported by The Times and Seasons:

“The Speaker then announced, “There shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the Lord’s House; and the church shall not hold another general conference, until they can meet in said house; for thus saith the Lord.”

This announcement came as a shock to the members of the church.  The time was running out for them to complete the construction.  The closing of the grace period had begun.  What was formally acceptable was now no longer permissible.  The wage or salary would no longer be paid by the Lord.  The Lord would no longer accept their Baptisms for the deceased.  They would be required to finish the temple first.

Strangely, just weeks later a temporary font is set up in the basement of the unfinished temple and baptisms resume.  As if God is just another permissible parent setting stipulations, declaring the consequences and then just as quickly back peddling away from the consequences moments after children fuss under the punishment. 

“The basement housed a temporary baptismal font built by Elijah Fordham.  It was made from Wisconsin Pine and mounted on twelve carefully crafted oxen.  On 8 November the font was dedicated by Brigham Young.  It was first used two weeks later when Elders Brigham Young, Heber C Kimball, and John Taylor performed forty baptisms for the dead;  Elders Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, and George A Smith performed the confirmations.”(Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials in Church History, 27 ed, pages 256-257)

Recall that the form of approval was given by example in the Lord’s appearance in the Kirtland temple.  Recall also, that the Lord had only weeks prior reprimanded the saints by telling them there will be no more Baptisms for the Dead until AFTER the temple was completed.  This places the validity of these ordinances in question.  At the very best possible interpretation, it puts the Nauvoo Saints in a precarious position of being warned that they are approaching a rapidly closing deadline without having accomplished the task put to their responsibility.

Curiously Joseph Smith is not mentioned as participating in these baptisms.  However there is commentary left by Joseph regarding additional details about Baptism for the Dead in the form of letters recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 127 and 128.  These letters follow a full year later in 1842. These demonstrate that Joseph may have been complicit to the ordinances proceeding in the unfinished temple.  Thus at best, the October General Conference of 1841 could be seen as a warning shot across the bow.   The Lord is serious about the time limitation; but He is Merciful enough to provide an unmistakable warning that He cannot retract the laws of Justice. Time is running out.

In 1842, “And again, verily thus saith the Lord:  Let the works of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perserverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts.  And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you.  For all this there is a reward in heaven.”  (D&C 127:4)

There was also a second warning shot fired.  Why was Joseph giving instructions by letter instead of directly in person? 

“Forasmuch as the Lord has revealed unto me that my enemies, both in Missouri and this State, were again in pursuit of me; and inasmuch as they pursue me without cause, and have not the least shadow or coloring of justice or right on their side in the getting up of their prosecutions against me; and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye, I have thought it expedient and wisdom in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people.  I would say to all those with whom I have business, that I have left my affairs with agents and clerks who will transact all business in a prompt manner, and will see that all my debts are canceled in due time, by turning out property, or otherwise, as the case may require, or as the circumstances may admit of.  When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again.” (D&C 127:1)

Recall that the Lord had said “I will show unto my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built.” (D&C 124:42)

And recall that the promise of the Lord was “if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants, whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.” (D&C 124:45)

It is no mere irony then that the one appointed to be shown all things pertaining to this house has been completely removed out of his place (in 1842).  Note that while he is in that state of removal what is it that weighs most heavily on his mind?  It is the very thing that if completed would prevent both he and his people from being removed due to the promises associated.   The people as yet have not been removed, but their leader has been removed.  The removal is at the moment in 1842 only temporary, but if repentative action is not taken the removal would prove to be permanent.  This warning example is a clear demonstration of the mercy of God whose philosophy is that the greatest shall be least or in other words, the leader must carry the burdens of the people.  Thus Joseph was demonstrating that the people would suffer the same consequences of removal if they did not follow through with counsel given in his previous revelations regarding the topic found in his very letters written in exile.

“Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Or in otherwords, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded  in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.

It may seem a very bold doctrine that we talk of --- a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven.  Nevertheless, in all the ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given.  Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah.  This is a faithful saying.  Who can hear it?” (D&C 128:8-9)

Again I would caution you to examine the terminology carefully. 

Where does the Power in the Priesthood come from?
It is from Jesus Christ.  He reveals that priesthood to those who receive it.

The term “dispensation” as used here does not refer to a large block of years encompassing generation after generation who receive the priesthood as a whole group from the authority of one man who received the revelation at the beginning of the time period specified and hence established an unbroken chain of authority.  Joseph had already rejected that notion as claimed by the Catholic Church.  Joseph had rejected that notion by proclaiming the apostasy of previous generations.  The term dispensation as used here refers to the dispensing of a portion of priesthood authority to one individual.  For example, Christ dispensed the priesthood to Peter.  That revealed priesthood would only qualify that one man.  Peter is given as just one example (D&C 128:10).  Joseph was another (D&C 132:45-50).  Nephi was also yet another (Heleman 10:4-10).  These men by their examples and by their words demonstrated that it was necessary to receive that power directly from the Lord.  However, no other man could borrow it from them.  Peter’s authorization could not be borrowed by Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) which is why Joseph did not and could not make an appeal to the Pope of his day to receive that authority.  Joseph was instructed that he must receive that authority for himself from the Lord in person.  So too, we have no more capacity to borrow authority from Joseph in our day than Joseph did to borrow from the Pope of his day.  But we have that invitation to receive it from the Lord, as he did. 

Hence we can determine that the conducting of the Baptism of the Dead would be mere form only without eternal substance until the individuals involved actually received a direct authorization from the Lord in person.

Again, we cite to Kirtland as the example of the Lord demonstrating how He accepts an offering once it is completed according to His instructions (D&C 110:1-10).  Likewise we cite to the examples of how the fulness of the Priesthood is received.  Such examples include Peter, Nephi, and Joseph Smith.
 
And again, in regards to the Nauvoo temple, we ask the question, where is the Lord’s acceptance of the offering?

The acceptance never came before Joseph’s death.  The General Contractor was removed from his duty among the people of Nauvoo on June 27, 1844 (D&C 135:1).  The only replacement appointed by the Joseph was his brother Hyrum Smith and he too was taken from the people of Nauvoo just moments before Joseph.  Hence the church of Nauvoo had lost its connection to the true vine until such time as someone else could reestablish an actual relationship with the Lord.

“ And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?” (1 Nephi 15:15)

It is time to examine Exhibit B.

At this time I present to you the record of Heber C Kimball and William Clayton.
You will find their record in the following publication:

An Intimate Chronicle:  The Journals of William Clayton, Edited by George D. Smith

By the time William Clayton came to Nauvoo, he had already been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for some time.  He served as a record keeper and scribe for Joseph Smith personally during the Nauvoo years.  He kept a journal consistently throughout his life and many of the events of the early church can be understood by reviewing his recording of his daily activities during those years.  In fact, in later years he wrote a great portion of the History of the Church under the direction of Brigham Young.  His journals were used in the compiling of that history.

For a portion of time in Nauvoo, William Clayton also served as scribe for Heber C Kimball.  Kimball had been with the church from the Kirtland years as well as the Nauvoo years.  He would act as an apostle and during the Utah years would serve in the First Presidency along with Brigham Young.  The following entry was written in Heber’s journal.  William Clayton served as scribe for the entry.  So we have two witnesses to the event.  Heber who dictated the journal and William who put it to writing.

This entry is made over a year after Joseph is murdered.

“ [December 10, 1845]  This morning went up to the Temple in company with my wife and sister [Sarah Ann] Whitney.  The morning very fine and pleasant but cold.  I arrived at 10 o clock and found a number of the brethren already present and some of their wives.  President [Brigham] Young engaged himself, by fixing the curtains on the East Window.  I assisted him with Sisters Kimball, Pratt and Whitney.  About half after 10 o clock it was reported that priest [Hamilton] Tucker (Catholic) and his associates were below waiting an interview with the Twelve and Council.  At 11 1/4 Mr.  [Hamilton] Tucker and Mr. [] Hamilton were admitted into the upper room of the Temple accompanied by Bishop Joseph L.  Heywood who gave the gentlemen an introduction to those present.  The propositions of the council in regard to the sale of our property were presented to Mr. Tucker in writing who read them over and then handed them to Mr.  Hamilton who also read them.  The gentlemen were then invited into President Youngs room with myself, President Young, Willard Richards, Orson Hyde, John Taylor, Amasa Lyman, John E. Page, George A.  Smith, P[arley] P.  Pratt, George Miller, John M.  Birnhisel, Joseph L.  Heywood, W[illiam] Clayton.  Mr Tucker made some observations respecting the two Main Rooms of the Temple.  He thought they were so high it would be difficult for a speaker.  President Young replied and explained in regard to that matter, also the pulpits, place for the Organ &c.  and also the side rooms.  Mr.  Hamilton asked a question as to the disposal of our public buildings.  In answer to which Elder Hyde read aloud the written propositions and offered some explanations.  A conversation then followed between Mr. Tucker, President Young and Elder Hyde on the subject.  President Young remarked that we wish to realise from the sale of our property, sufficient to take all our poor with us in a comfortable manner.  If he was alone he could take his rifle and make his way to the Pacific with little difficulty but at the same time he don’t wish to do it.  He would rather have his wagons and go with all the rest of the Church comfortable.

Mr Tucker said he thought it would be wisdom to publish our propositions in all the Catholic papers, and lay the matter plain before their people.  He should also think it advisable for the Catholic Bishops to send a competent committee to ascertain the value of our property &c.  at the same time they will use all their influence to effect a sale as speedily as possible.  He thinks they have men in St Louis, New York and other Cities who could soon raise the amount we want, but the time is so very short, he don’t know whether it can be done so soon.  He then asked if we would be willing to have our propositions published in their papers.  President Young replied we should have no objections providing it was understood that we reserve the right to sell when we had a chance.  Elder P.P. Pratt thought it would be well to talk over the propositions and investigate them so as to have every thing perfectly and clearly understood.  My Hamilton wished to ascertain upon what conditions they could obtain two of our public buildings, one for a school and one for a Church.  They intended to write to the Bishop and wished to be able to supply him with some information on this subject.

President Young said he was well aware that there were many men in the Catholic Church who could furnish all the money we want at once, but he supposed it was with them as it was with a Mr. Butler who owned a wealthy Bank and asked why he did not sign off more Bills.  He supposed it was too much trouble for them to dig their money out of their vaults.  But he wished it understood that while we make a liberal proposition to dispose of our property we must have the means to help ourselves away.

Mr.  Tucker said their object was to write to the Bishop and enclose our propositions in his letter, at the same time advising him either to come himself or to appoint a committee of efficient men to come and value the property and enter into terms for a final agreement.  He said the sum to be raised was large and the time very short to the first of April but he thinks it can be accomplished.  He thinks they can be able to give us a decided answer by the 25th inst.

President Young said he would like to add a note to our proposals before it goes for publication to this effect that If they agree to our propositions we will lease them the temple for a period of from five to thirty 5 years at a reasonable price, the rent to be paid in finishing the Temple Block and the Block West of the Temple, and keeping the Temple in repair.

The council agreed to the amendment which was accordingly added to the proposals and handed to Mr. Tucker.  Mr Tucker seemed to give much encouragement that an arrangement would speedily be entered into, to accomplish what we want.  Both the gentlemen seem highly pleased with the Temple and the City and appear to feel sanguine that the Catholics should get this Temple and vicinity.

About half past 12 they departed evidently feeling well towards us.”

Having read this, it is necessary to consider the facts.  The Saints in Nauvoo on December 10 of 1845 are selling the temple.  It is up for sale.  Who are they selling it to?  They are selling it to the Catholics.

In 1820, when Joseph went into the grove and prayed, he asked a question and he received an answer.

“My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
 19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
 20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time.” (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith – History, Verse 18-19).

The Catholic Church would have been among the Sects that Joseph would have considered joining before he received this answer from the Lord.  Arguably it would have been first on the list to inquire after due to its size of population, political and historical influence.  Also, we must consider that it made a claim to hold the authority of Jesus Christ, having that authority passed down from Peter and every leader that was to follow.  Yet the Lord told Joseph to join none of them and that would most certainly included one of history’s most influential sects.

Yet here is Brigham Young still “hanging the curtains” and taking the unfinished, undedicated, unaccepted temple and offering it for sale to the most prominent Sect among all the Sects that God had “forbidden” Joseph to join.  Oh and by the way, said Brigham, if you prefer to do so, you may rent it.  For the rental payment, all we ask is that you finish the Temple Block and surrounding area for us. 

He references several times the reason to sale.  That reason being that they are moving out of their place.

The Catholics are being asked to finish and complete the “house unto the Lord’s name”.  They are being asked to finish the work because the original saints given the commandment to build it are being moved out of their place. 

What does that say about the fulfillment of Doctrine and Covenants 124?  Doctrine and Covenants 124 was indeed fulfilled, but in what manner was the promises of the Lord fulfilled?

Were the Saints successful in fulfilling the requirements of the Lord?
Or did the Saints fail in fulfilling the requirements of the Lord?

The truth speaks for itself.

The records show that the four Requirements were not met in the completion of the House of Nauvoo.  The Lord did not appear and declare that He accepted the House in Nauvoo as He had in Kirtland.  The House was not completed before the closing of the grace period as forewarned in the acceptance of Baptism for the Dead before October of 1841 and the ceasing of Baptism for the Dead outside of the temple in that month.  After that month, there was no accepted house in which washings could also be accepted.  The General Contractor was removed from his appointment in the month of June, 1844.  And the “spot designated” was lost as evidenced by the offer to sell and the church being driven out of their place in 1846.  

The Prosecutor has indicted my client on charges of apostasy.  And yet…and yet!  What if in fact the prosecutor is the apostate! What if that apostasy was committed by the Prosecutor in Nauvoo when the Prosecutor was given the mandate to build a house unto the Lord?  Now if that be the case, then the Prosecutor has no standing and my client who only sought to speak of truth is no apostate and is free to go.  Ironically, so too the Prosecutor goes free and walks out of this courtroom because there is no man who cares to formally charge the Prosecutor with apostasy.  Therefore such a case is not laid before us to decide in this court.  We don’t claim the jurisdiction.  We leave that jurisdiction to God.  We do make the claim that the Prosecutor so too, ought to leave that charge in the jurisdiction of God.  Let the Great Judge decide who shall be apostate.  And therefore, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I ask you to clear my client of this charge.  Let all be free to connect to the Living Vine in whatsoever manner the Lord may direct each individual.

I ask you if God be a God of Truth, can someone be an apostate for seeking for and speaking of only the truth?

My client would have the following statement read in this court today:

“If I have spoken that which is not true, bare witness of the Lie; but if I have spoken truth, why call ye me an apostate?”

I now close and I hope to leave the following idea for you to reflect on as you weigh the evidence:
All of this presupposes that there is a God.
All of this presupposes that God did in fact reveal himself to Joseph.
All of this presupposes that God does in fact desire to reveal himself to you.
And today, we have demonstrated that there is a “fulness of the priesthood”.
And that you may also receive a fulness of the priesthood.
The failings of the past are not given that we may condemn one another but they are given they we may learn from their mistakes and thereby repent and in so doing we find that we may be redeemed.  As too they are redeemed for the chain of their errors are corrected in us and by so doing we assist in their redemption.

People of the Court, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, Your Honor…for today that is all I would like to present.
Thank you for your attention.