Saturday, April 1, 2017

D&C 84: An Interpretation

Freed from its unjust justified captivity:

A revelation of Jesus Christ
    unto his servant Joseph (Smith Jr)
    and six elders
as they united their hearts
    in lifting their voice on high.
Yea the word of the Lord concerning his church established in the last days,
    for the restoration of his people
    as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets,
    and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion,
        which shall be called the city New Jerusalem,
        which city shall be built beginning at the temple lot
            which is appointed by the finger of the Lord in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri,
            and dedicated by the hand of Joseph (Smith Jr.)
                and others with whom the Lord was well pleased.
Verily this is the word of the Lord,
    that the city New Jerusalem shall be built
    by the gathering of the saints beginning at this place,
    even the place of the temple,
        which temple shall be reared in this generation,
        for verily this generation shall not all pass away
            until a 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
                and the sons of Moses
                    according to the holy priesthood
                        which he [Moses] received under the hand of his father-in-law Jethro
                        and Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb,
                        and Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu,
                        and Elihu under the hand of Jeremy,
                        and Jeremy under the hand of Gad,
                        and Gad under the hand of Esaias,
                        and Esaias received it under the hand of God;
                            Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham
                                and was blessed of him,
                        which Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek,
                            who received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah,
                        and from Noah till Enoch, through the lineage of their fathers,
                        and from Enoch to Abel
                            who was slain by the conspiracy of his brother,
                        who received the priesthood by the commandment of God
                            by the hand of his father Adam
                        who was the first man,
                    which priesthood continueth in the church of God
                        in all generations
                        and is without beginning of days
                        or end of years.
                    and the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron
                        and his seed
                        throughout all their generations,
                        which priesthood also continueth
                            and abideth for ever
                            with the priesthood which is after the Holiest Order of God.
                    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.
                        therefore in the ordinances thereof,
                            the power of godliness is manifest,
                        and without the ordinances thereof
                            and the authority of the priesthood,
                            the power of godliness is not manifest
                            unto man in the flesh,
                        for without this no man can see the face of God,
                            even the Father,
                            and live. [because it is while in the flesh]
                        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,
                        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,
                                which Rest is the fullness of His glory,
                        while in the wilderness.
                        Therefore He took Moses out of their midst
                            and the Holy Priesthood also,
                        and the lesser priesthood continued,
                            which priesthood holdeth the keys of the ministering of angels
                        and the preparatory gospel,
                            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 [the Baptist],
                            whom God raised up
                            being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb,
                                for he was baptized while he was yet in his childhood
                                and was ordained by the angel of God
                                    at the time he was eight days old
                                    unto this power:
                                        to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews
                                        and to make strait the way of the Lord
                                            before the face of his people,
                                        to prepare them for the coming of the Lord
                                            in whose hand is given all power.
                    And again, the offices of elder and bishop are necessary appendages [="something added to a principal or greater thing, though not necessary to it, as a portico to a house"]
                        belonging unto the High Priesthood.
                    And again, the offices of teacher and deacon are necessary appendages
                        belonging to the lesser priesthood,
                        which priesthood was confirmed upon Aaron and his sons
                Therefore as I said concerning the sons of Moses:
                    for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron
                        shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice
                        in the House of the Lord,
                            which House shall be built unto the Lord
                                in this generation
                                upon the Consecrated Spot as I have appointed,
                    and the sons of Moses and of Aaron
                        shall be filled with the glory of the Lord
                        upon Mount Zion in the Lord's house,
                    whose sons are ye,
                        and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up My church,
                    for whoso is faithful
                        unto the obtaining of these two priesthoods
                            of which I have spoken,
                        and the magnifying their calling,
                    are sanctified by the Spirit
                        unto the renewing of their bodies,
                        that they become the sons of Moses and of Aaron,
                        and the seed of Abraham,
                        and the church and Kingdom and the Elect of God.
                And also ALL they who receive This [now singular] Priesthood
                    receiveth Me, saith the Lord,
                for he that receiveth My Servants [angels, not prophets; see D&C 1:14 http://bit.ly/2ogUc9T]
                    receiveth Me,
                and he that receiveth Me
                    receiveth My Father,
                and he that receiveth My Father
                    receiveth My Father's Kingdom,
                therefore all that My Father hath
                    shall be given unto him,
                and this is according to the Oath and the Covenant
                    which belongeth to The Priesthood.
                Therefore all those who receive The Priesthood
                    receiveth this oath and covenant OF [="from or out of"] My Father
                    which He cannot break,
                    neither can it be moved,
                but whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it,
                    and altogether turneth therefrom,
                shall not have forgiveness in this world
                    nor in the world to come.
                And all those that come not unto This Priesthood
                    which ye have received,
                    which I now confirm upon you who are present this day,
                        viz. the twenty-third day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two,
                        eleven high priests, save one,
                    by Mine Own Voice out of the Heavens,
                    and even I have given the Heavenly Host and Mine angels charge concerning you
                    and I now give unto you a commandment
                        to beware concerning yourselves,
                        to give diligent heed to the words of Eternal life,
                    for you shall live by every word
                        that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God,
                    for the word of the Lord is truth,
                        and whatsoever is truth is light,
                        and whatsoever is light is Spirit,
                            even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
                    and the Spirit giveth light
                        to every man that cometh into the world,
                    and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world
                        that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit,
                    and everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit
                        cometh unto God,
                        even the Father,
                    and the Father teacheth him of the covenant
                        which he hath renewed
                        and confirmed upon you,
                    which is confirmed upon you for your sakes,
                        and not for yours only,
                        but for the sake of the whole world.
                    and the whole world lieth in sin
                        and groaneth under darkness
                        and under the bondage of sin,
                    and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin,
                        because they come not unto Me,
                    for whoso cometh not unto Me
                        is under the bondage of sin,
                    and whoso receiveth not My Voice
                        is not acquainted with My Voice
                        and is not of Me
                    and by this you may know the righteous from the wicked,
                    and that the whole world groaneth under sins and darkness even now
                And your minds in times past have been darkened
                    because of unbelief
                    and because you have treated lightly the things you have received,
                which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation.
                And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion,
                    even all,
                and they shall remain under this condemnation
                    until they repent and remember the new covenant,
                    even the Book of Mormon
                    and the former commandments
                        which I have given them,
                    not only to say, but to do
                        according to that which I have written,
                    that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's Kingdom.
                Otherwise there remaineth a scourge and a judgment
                    to be poured out upon the children of Zion,
                For shall the children of the Kingdom pollute My holy land?
                    Verily, verily I say unto you, Nay.
                Verily, verily I say unto you who now hear My words, which is My voice:
                    Blessed are you inasmuch as you receive these things,
                    for I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment,
                    that you remain steadfast in your minds
                        in solemnity and the spirit of prayer,
                        in bearing testimony to all the world
                            of those things which are communicated unto you.
                    Therefore go ye into all the world,
                    and whatsoever place ye cannot go into ye shall send,
                        that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.
                    And as I said unto Mine apostles even so I say unto you,
                    For you are Mine apostles, [though the 12 were not organized for 3 more years!]
                        even God's high priests,
                    Ye are they whom My Father hath given me,
                        ye are My friends.
                    Therefore as I said unto Mine apostles I say unto you again,
                    that every soul who
                        believeth on your words
                        and are baptized by water for the remission of their sins
                    shall receive the Holy Ghost. [not the gift...]
                    And these signs shall follow them:
                        in My name they shall do many wonderful works,
                        in My name they shall cast out devils,
                        in My name they shall heal the sick,
                        in My name they shall open the eyes of the blind
                            and unstop the ears of the deaf,
                            and the tongue of the dumb shall speak,
                        and if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them,
                        and the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them.
                    But a commandment I give unto them [those who believe on the apostles' words]
                        that they shall not boast themselves of these things,
                        neither speak them before the world,
                        for these things are given unto you for your profit
                        and for salvation.
                    Verily, verily I say unto you, He who believeth not on your words,
                        and are not baptized by water in My name
                        for the remission of their sins
                        that they may receive the Holy Ghost,
                    shall be damned and shall not come into My Father's Kingdom
                        where My Father and I am.
                    And this revelation unto you,
                        and commandment,
                    is in force from this very hour upon all the world,
                    and this gospel is unto all who have not received it.
                But verily I say unto all those to whom the Kingdom has been given,
                    From you it must be preached unto them
                        that they shall repent of their former evil works,
                    for they are to be upbraided
                        for their evil hearts of unbelief,
                    and your brethren in Zion
                        for their rebellion against you
                        at the time I sent you.
                And again I say unto you My friends,
                        for from this time forth I shall call you friends,
                    It is expedient that I give unto you this commandment
                        that you become even as My friends in days when I was with them
                        in travelling to preach this gospel in My power,
                    for I suffered them not to have
                        purse [=small money bag]
                        or scrip, [=satchel]
                        neither two coats.
                Behold I send you out
                    to prove the world and the laborer is worthy of his hire,
                    and ANY man that shall go and preach this gospel of the Kingdom
                        and fail not to continue faithful in all things
                    shall not be weary in mind,
                        neither darkened,
                        neither body, limb or joint, and an hair of your heads shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.
                        and they shall not go hungry, neither athirst,
                    therefore take no thought for the morrow,
                        for what ye shall eat,
                        or what ye shall drink,
                        or wherewithal ye shall be clothed,
                    for consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
                        they toil not,
                        neither do they spin,
                    and the kingdoms of this world in all their glory
                        are not arrayed like one of them,
                    for your Father who art in Heaven
                        knoweth that you have need of all these things,
                    therefore let the morrow take thought for the things of itself.
                Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say,
                    but treasure up in your minds continually
                        the words of life
                    and it shall be given you in the very hour
                        that portion that shall be meted unto every man.
                Therefore let no man among you
                    (for this commandment is unto all the faithful
                        who are called of God in the church unto the ministry),
                    therefore let no man from this hour take purse or scrip
                    that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the Kingdom.
                Behold I send you out
                    to reprove the world
                        of all their unrighteous deeds
                    and to teach them
                        of a judgment which is to come.
                And whoso receiveth you,
                    there I will be also,
                    for I will go before your face,
                    I will be on your right hand and on your left,
                    and My Spirit shall be in your hearts,
                    and Mine angels round about you to bear you up.
                Whoso receiveth you receiveth me,
                    and the same will feed you
                    and clothe you
                    and give you money.
                And he who feedeth you,
                    or clothes you,
                    or giveth you money,
                shall in no wise lose his reward.
                And he that doeth not these things
                    is not My disciple.
                By this you may know My disciples.
                He that receiveth you not,
                    go away from him alone by yourselves
                    and cleanse your feet,
                        even with water,
                        pure water,
                    whether in heat or in cold,
                and bear testimony of it unto your Father which is in Heaven,
                    and return not again unto that man.
                And in whatsoever village or city ye enter,
                    do likewise.
                Nevertheless search diligently and spare not.
                Wo unto that house,
                        or that village,
                        or city
                    that rejecteth you,
                        or your words,
                        or testimony concerning me.
                Wo I say again unto that house,
                        or that village,
                        or city
                    that rejecteth you or your words,
                        or your testimony of me.
                For I the Almighty have laid My hand upon the nations
                    to scourge them for their wickedness,
                    and plagues shall go forth,
                and it shall not be taken from the earth
                    until I have completed My work
                        which shall be cut short in righteousness,
                    until all shall know me who remain,
                        even from the least to the greatest,
                    and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,
                    and shall see eye to eye
                    and shall lift up the voice,
                    and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:
                        The Lord hath brought again Zion
                        The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel
                            According to the election of grace
                            Which was brought to pass by the faith and covenant of their Fathers
                        The Lord hath redeemed his people
                            and Satan is bound,
                            and time is no longer
                        The Lord hath gathered all things in one
                            The Lord hath brought down Zion from above
                            The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath
                        The Earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength
                            And truth is established in her bowels
                            And the heavens hath smiled upon her
                            And she is clothed with the glory of her God
                        For He standeth in the midst of His people
                        Glory, and honor, and power, and might
                            be ascribed to our God!
                        For He is full of mercy,
                            justice, grace, and truth,
                            and peace,
                        for ever and ever! Amen.

Again verily, verily I say unto you,
    It is expedient that every man who goes forth
        to proclaim Mine everlasting gospel,
    that inasmuch as they have families
        and receive monies by gift,
    they should send it unto them
        or make use of it for their benefit
        as the Lord shall direct them,
    for thus it seemeth Me good.
    And let all those who have not families who receive money,
        send it up unto the bishop of Zion
            or unto the bishop in Ohio,
        that it may be consecrated for
            the bringing forth of the revelations
            and the printing thereof,
            and for establishing Zion.
    And if any shall give unto any of you a coat or a suit,
        take the old and cast it unto the poor
        and go your way rejoicing.
    And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit,
        let him take with him he that is weak,
        that he may be edified in all meekness,
        that he may become strong also.
    Therefore take with you
        those who are ordained unto the lesser priesthood,
    and send them before you to make appointments,
        and to prepare the way,
        and to fill appointments that yourselves are not able to fill.
    Behold this is the way that Mine apostles in ancient days built up My church unto me.
    Therefore let every man stand in his own office
        and labor in his own calling,
        and let not the head say unto the feet
            it hath no need of the feet,
            for without the feet,
            how shall the body be able to stand?
        Also the body hath need of every member,
            that all may be edified together,
            that the system may be kept perfect.
    And behold the high priest should travel,
        and also the elders,
        and also the lesser priests,
    but the teachers and deacons should be appointed to watch over the church,
        to be standing ministers unto the church.
    And the bishop also should travel round about
        and among all the churches,
        searching after the poor
        to administer to their wants
        by humbling the rich and the proud.
    He should also employ an agent,
        for to take charge
        and to do his secular business as he shall direct.
    Nevertheless let the bishop go unto the city of New York,
        and also to the city of Albany,
        and also to the city of Boston,
    and warn the people of those cities
        with the sound of the gospel with a loud voice,
    of the desolation and utter abolishment which awaits them
        if they do reject these things.
    For if they do reject these things,
        the hour of their judgment is nigh
        and their house shall be left unto them desolate.
    Let him trust in me
        and he shall not be confounded,
        and an hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.
And verily I say unto you, the rest of My servants:
    Go ye forth
        as your circumstances shall permit
        in your several callings
    unto the great and notable cities and villages,
        reproving the world in righteousness
            of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds,
        setting forth clearly and understandingly
            the desolation of abomination in the last days.
    For with you, saith the Lord Almighty,
        I will rend their kingdoms.
    I will not only shake the earth,
        but the starry Heavens shall tremble also,
    for I the Lord have put forth Mine hand
        to exert the Powers of Heaven.
    Ye cannot see it now,
        yet a little while and ye shall see it
        and know that I am
        and that I will come and reign with My people.
I am Alpha and Omega,
    the beginning and the end.
Amen.

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