10

The Restoration must Come by Records that Restore the Plain and Precious Things

The "covenants of the fathers," the "ordinances of exaltation," or what we call the "temple endowment," lay at the very heart and foundation of all scripture and revelation that comes from God. These are the covenants that are contained in the "work and glory of God" in bringing to pass the "immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39), and as the Savior teaches, "the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself" (D&C 132:31). Keeping in mind that the scriptures are founded upon these eternal covenants, opens the door to an expanded understanding of the word of God. Truths, that before were unrealized, will manifest themselves as we read and ponder the words of the prophets, giving us a better view of the eternities and our responsibility in the work and glory of our Father in Heaven. Temple texts, which are passages of scripture relating directly to the covenants of the fathers, will jump from the pages of scripture to your mind, heart and spirit. Temple texts like: 2 Nephi 2, the doctrines of the temple; Ether 3, the cleansing and passing through the veil; Alma 12, and 13 the mysteries and ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood; D&C 84, the oath and covenant of the priesthood is the endowment; Genesis 15-17, the blessings of Abraham and Sarah and their new names and blessings of priesthood, posterity and inheritance; Genesis 27, and the endowment of Jacob by the patriarch Isaac; Genesis 32, Jacob embraces the angel, and receives a name change and the blessings of Abraham; Matthew 17, and the endowment of Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration; and Moses chapters One through Five, the narrative and doctrines of God's relationship with man. There are too many examples to list or discuss here, but we should be aware that these covenants and ordinances underlie all scripture, and all scripture should be read with these eternal ordinances and covenants in mind. Likewise, the threefold mission of the church rests upon these covenants as we proclaim the gospel so that everyone might participate in the ordinances of exaltation and receive the blessings and covenants of the fathers; we perfect the saints that they might attend the temple and realize the blessings contained therein, and we redeem the dead by doing their temple work by proxy. The mission of the church is to provide all who have ever lived or will yet live upon the earth with the endowment of power that consists of the same covenants, blessings and ordinances that the righteous patriarchs received from God. All the posterity of Adam and Eve must be sealed to God, the Father of us all, that all might become heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and the promise of becoming kings and queens, priests and priestesses unto God. The Goal and glory of the righteous is to "inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths. . . and pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them" (D&C 132:19, 20).

Had these covenants remained in the Bible, in their "plainness," Satan would not have managed to obtain such a strong influence on the basic doctrines of the Bible, such as the nature of God, the separateness of the Godhead, and the potential of man. The shadows of these doctrines and covenants that remain in the Old and New Testaments, are only visible enough to cause confusion and disbelief in the minds and spirits of those who do not know the truth, or have been "blinded by the craftiness of men" (D&C 76:75). In this spirit of confusion, Babylon prospers in controlling of the world and the hearts of mankind, exerting a power and influence through the pride of man, that is founded in the false doctrines of the so called "historical Christianity." The greatest success of Satan, and the most monumental false doctrine taught is the Trinitarian concept of the nature of God, which destroys the potential of man, as the offspring of a loving Father, and the reality of Jesus Christ as the "Son of God."

The second concept mentioned by the angel to Nephi, was the "plainness of the gospel of the Lord" which teaches of the character, tangibility and necessity of the Atonement in the lives of every individual who will live upon the earth, and all those who desire the blessing and realization of the covenants of the fathers, and the endowment of power. There is but "one mediator between God, and man" (1 Timothy 2:5) and that is Jesus Christ. No one may approach the Father without the mediation and atonement of the Son of God, for there is no other name under heaven whereby man may be saved (2 Nephi 2:8; Mosiah 5:8).

The "gospel of Jesus Christ" has become a phrase in the church that is used as a 'catch all' term for all doctrines, concepts, beliefs and ordinances that would pertain to the salvation and exaltation of man. However, we learn in scripture that there is a specificity of meaning about the "gospel or doctrine of Jesus Christ." Nephi explains what the "Doctrine of Christ" consists of in Second Nephi Chapter Thirty-one the Lord himself expounds about "my doctrine" and "my gospel" in Third Nephi Chapters, Eleven and Twenty-seven.

2 Nephi 31

16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

3 Nephi 11

31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.

32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

3 Nephi 27

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil--

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

The Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants in D&C 18:17-23; 19:29-31; 20:25-29; 33:11-12; 39:5-6; consists of five key elements which are: faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. The gospel is discussed in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, (p. 556).

Jesus Christ and his apostles and prophets have repeatedly announced the "good news" or "gospel" that by coming to Christ, a person may be saved. The Father is the author of the gospel, but it is called the gospel of Jesus Christ because, in agreement with the Father's plan, Christ's Atonement makes the gospel operative in human lives. Christ's gospel is the only true gospel, and "there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent" (Mosiah 3:17; cf. Acts 4:12).

Even though Latter-day Saints use the term "gospel" in several ways, including traditional Christian usages, the Book of Mormon and other latter-day scriptures define it precisely as the way or means by which an individual can come to Christ. In all these scriptural passages, the gospel or doctrine of Christ teaches that salvation is available through his authorized servants to all who will (1) believe in Christ; (2) repent of their sins; (3) be baptized in water as a witness of their willingness to take his name upon them and keep his commandments; (4) receive the Holy Ghost by the laying-on of hands; and (5) endure to the end. All who obey these commandments and receive the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost and endure in faith, hope, and charity will be found guiltless at the last day and will enter into the kingdom of heaven (Alma 7:14-16, 24-25; Heb. 6:1-2).

. . . The gospel of Jesus Christ is a key part of the Plan of Salvation (or plan of redemption), which provides an opportunity for all people to obtain eternal life. Because of the Fall of Adam, which has passed upon all individuals by inheritance, all are subject to a physical death and a spiritual death (2 Ne. 9:4-12; D&C 29:39-45; 1 Cor. 15:12-22) and cannot save themselves. God, the loving Father of all spirits, has declared that it is his work and glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). For this purpose he provided a savior, Jesus Christ, who, because of his perfect love, his sinlessness, and his being the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, was both willing and able to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Through his Atonement, Christ redeemed all men, women, and children unconditionally from the two deaths occasioned by the transgression of Adam and Eve, and will also redeem them from their own sins, if they accept and obey his gospel (Moses 6:62; D&C 20:17-25; 76:40-53).

BASIC ELEMENTS. Modern revelations state that the Book of Mormon contains "the fulness of the gospel" (D&C 20:9; 27:5; 42:12). Of all the standard works, the Book of Mormon contains the most detailed exposition of the gospel. In three separate passages the basic elements of the gospel are explained by a prophet or by Jesus himself (2 Ne. 31:2-32:6; 3 Ne. 11:31-41; 27:13-21). Each of these passages is framed by the affirmation that "this is my doctrine" or "this is my gospel." The revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith confirm these Book of Mormon statements of the gospel in every detail (see D&C 18:17-23; 19:29-31; 20:25-29).

These core texts repeat the basic elements of the gospel message several times in slightly varied ways. Joseph Smith referred to them in abbreviated form as "the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel" (Articles of Faith #4).

The scriptural definition of faith, not the modern concept of a strong belief, but faith, as contained in the scriptures can only be faith, if it is centered in Jesus Christ his sacrifice and atonement. Virtually every reference in the standard works that discuss faith, does so in the context of the atonement, indicating that faith, must focus in the Savior. Faith can only be faith if it is placed in something that cannot fail, in time or eternity. The atonement, and sacrifice of Christ is the only eternal truth in this life that cannot fail, it "was, is and shall be" a sacrifice that is "infinite and eternal," prepared "before the foundation of the world." Amulek teaches about this sacrifice stating that it could not be a "sacrifice of man, neither of beast" nor any type of "human sacrifice," but must be an "infinite and eternal sacrifice" (Alma 34:10). The atonement is eternal and infinite, and therefore the only principle of power that we can place our true faith. According to Amulek again, there exists only one way that mankind may exercise faith in Jesus Christ (i.e. the atonement) and that is to "exercise faith unto repentance" (Alma 34:15-17). By virtue of the atonement all have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of sin, this can only be done by the atonement, and the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the lawgiver, and God, that will bring about the "bowels of mercy which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance" ( Alma 34:15). This is illustrated in the Saviors words as he tells of the Pharisee and the publican:

Luke 18:10-14

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

In the above passage, we see two different members of the church, one, the Pharisee who is active in the church, paying a full tithe, attending all his meetings, going to the temple regularly, and the other a repentant publican who is active in the gospel. Of the two the Lord states, that the one active in the gospel is more justified than the one active in the church. Do not misunderstand, an individual may be active in the church and be totally inactive in the gospel of Jesus Christ, however, a person active in the gospel will be active in the church. The publican was "exercising faith unto repentance," therefore, active in the gospel. The Pharisee, like the Zoramites, were so active in the church organization that they failed to realize that they were not active in the gospel, which activity is required for eternal life. It is activity in the gospel of Jesus Christ that we must endure to the end of our lives. Thus, the faithful members of the church are they who are repenting (exercising faith unto repentance), and the unfaithful, are those not repenting. Church responsibilities and recommends do not reveal righteous activity, it is our unseen faith in the atonement that leads to repentance and activity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This gospel of Jesus Christ requires our constant and life long enduring faith, and repentance, with a participation in the priesthood ordinances of the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost. The covenant to live the "law of obedience" is realized in the ordinance of the baptism of water, which stands as a witness and testimony to our Father in Heaven, that we "have entered into a covenant to serve him until death" (Moaish 18:9, 10 13; see Moroni 6:3; 2 Nephi 31:14) and the baptism of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (D&C 20:41; 33:11; 39:6), that we might be cleansed by this third member of the Godhead (2 Nephi 31:17; 3 Nephi 12:2; 27:20; Moroni 6:4; D&C 19:31; 3 Nephi 9:20; Ether 12:14;). We are commanded to be actively and energetically engaged in these principles throughout our lifetime, prayerfully seeking for the constant guidance and companionship of the Holy Ghost that will lead us on the path toward exaltation..

The satanic empire of Babylon has acquired the power to dominate the nations and governments of the world by taking "away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord" (1 Nephi 13:26). Because of the changes and deletions that the great and abominable makes, "an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them" (1 Nephi 13:29). Only the knowledge of the covenants of the fathers, and the plain and precious truths restored to the gospel of Jesus Christ will cause the eventual fall and destruction of church of the devil.