A Message of Most Importance!

Last night as I was on the treadmill, this conference video of President Nelson popped up and it really spoke to me as I had been reflecting on a new video I had just made about what happens after we die. These words particularly jumped out at me as I listened.

"The spirit in each of us naturally yearns for family love to last forever. Love songs perpetuate a false hope that love is all you need if you want to be together forever. And some erroneously believe that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ provides a promise that all people will be with their loved ones after death.

In truth, the Savior Himself has made it abundantly clear that while His Resurrection assures that every person who ever lived will indeed be resurrected and live forever, much more is required if we want to have the high privilege of exaltation. Salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter.

Listen to these words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ to His prophet: “All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.”

So, what is required for a family to be exalted forever? We qualify for that privilege by making covenants with God, keeping those covenants, and receiving essential ordinances.

I feel to say to my reticent friends:

'In this life, you have never settled for second best in anything. Yet, as you resist fully embracing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, you are choosing to settle for second best.

“The Savior said, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions.’10 However, as you choose not to make covenants with God, you are settling for a most meager roof over your head throughout all eternity.'"

I absolutely love this talk and feel it is one of the most important messages we could be sharing right now with our friends, loved ones, and the world! 

"If God Can Do it - Let's Do it!"

I love this man's story and testimony. It's a reminder that with faith and prayer we can call upon the Lord to send His Resurrection power to restore life! In this 11th hour we are living in, it has been prophesied to be a time of great miracles! With every manifested miracle, faith grows and Satan loses power. Yes, he is terrified of what God is doing right now. He is terrified of you and I. 

Opening the Door that Lets God In - My Experience

It's been a week of profound experiences and BIG events in the news...

An Important Week Indeed!

Happy Palm Sunday everyone! For those who need a refresher, here are some facts about this special day:

• Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. It initiates Holy Week, the last week of Lent.

• In many Christian denominations, such as the Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican Churches, worship services on Palm Sunday include a procession of the faithful carrying palms, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. The difficulty of procuring palms in unfavorable climates led to their substitution with branches of native trees, including box, olive, willow, and yew. The Sunday was often named after these substitute trees, as in Yew Sunday, or by the general term Branch Sunday.

• In the accounts of the four canonical Gospels, Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place about a week before his Resurrection.

• Christian theologians believe that the symbolism is captured prophetically in the Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9 "The Coming of Zion's King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey". It suggests that Jesus was declaring he was the King of Israel to the anger of the Sanhedrin.

• According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him, and sang part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – ... Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord ....

• The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war.[1] A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus's entry to Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.

This time of year also brings on the remembrance of the Resurrection and is the time for General Conference. I am sure getting excited for conference! There has been talk that some big changes are expected to be announced. Not sure the source of these rumors, but either way I am always excited for conference.

Another event that is remembered this week is Passover. This week will mark the first time I celebrate passover with my family. This is something I have always wanted to do and I have shared in past posts some great links that are LDS centered on how to best celebrate passover as a family. In years past I have wanted to do this, but have always remembered when it was too late. This year will be different!

In church news this week I found this article pretty exciting; President and Sister Nelson as well as Elder and Sister Holland are embarking on a world ministry tour where they will visit 8 cities. There is that number again. I have talked about quite a bit in this year's video messages. It continues to be an exciting year! :)

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-global-ministry-tour-locations?cid=HP_FR-23-3-2018_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-C_

The Crossroads of Science and the Kingdom of God - Words of Parley P. Pratt

Parley P. Pratt

As promised here is the post about the book written by Parley P. Pratt titled, "Key to the Science of Theology". I have referenced this many times in my recent videos.

Wow, wow, wow! Truly I could have highlighted the entire book, but to make it easier, I didn't do that. ;) I have shared below the paragraphs I did highlight. However, if you would like to read the entire book,  I have provided a link at the bottom of the post to the book that you can read for free online.

Before, we get started I must say that what I loved most about this book it that it explains the mysteries and powers of the Kingdom as a science. Science of course, was created by God. It is made up of laws that are His laws which govern the Universe. I love this because this is how I have always explained it. If you have watched my Happy Bug workshops series on my YouTube channel, then you already know. I LOVE theology, I LOVE science, and I LOVE knowledge! Sometimes we are afraid of the words, "Theology" and "Philosophy" as we often associate them with cunning deceptions of man and the devil. Theology is simply the study of the nature of God and philosophy is the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Parley P. Pratt uses these terms quite liberally throughout his book and coming from an apostle of the Lord, his words are an added witness to what the spirit has taught me over the past several years, and this book contains everything that I love all in one read.

Alright, if you don't know much about Parley P. Pratt, here are some interesting facts about his life:

• Pratt has been called "the Apostle Paul of Mormonism" for his promotion of distinctive Mormon doctrines.
• Pratt first read a copy of the Book of Mormon owned by a Baptist deacon. He was baptized on September 1, 1830
• He is the great-great-grandfather of Mitt Romney, and the great-great-great-grandfather of Jon Huntsman Jr.
• In addition to having converted his brother Orson and preacher Sidney Rigdon, Parley Pratt introduced the Mormon faith to several future church leaders, including Frederick G. Williams, John Taylor and his wife, Leonora, Isaac Morley, and Joseph Fielding, along with his sisters, Mary and Mercy.
• Pratt was a noted religious writer and poet. His most influential works was a book entitled A Voice of Warning (1837), a work that served the church as its most powerful proselytizing tool—after the Book of Mormon—for more than a century."
• Pratt explored and surveyed Parley's Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah (named in his honor), and subsequently built and maintained the first road for public transportation in the canyon.
• His wife Elenor (whose ex-husband murdered Pratt) was the mother of three children, a girl and two boys. Her sons were baptized, but Mr. McLean (her ex) did not accept Mormonism and did not want his children to belong to the Mormon Church, so he sent them around the Horn to New Orleans to be cared for by Elenor McLean’s parents.
• On November 14, 1855, she and Pratt underwent a "celestial marriage" sealing ceremony in the Endowment House. She was the twelfth woman to be sealed to Pratt. For religious and cultural reasons, Eleanor considered herself unmarried at the time of her sealing to Pratt, but she had not legally divorced from Hector. (This was common practice to be sealed to a righteous man whom was already married, but not be legally wed to him nor consider yourself married in this life, nor live as married or be in any way intimate with that person. It was about the ordinance. In that day many women had unrighteous husbands, or husbands who were not interested in joining the church. The women worried that they would miss their opportunity to be sealed in this life and obtain all the blessings that go with it. Therefore this was common practice then, as righteous women outnumbered righteous men. It is no longer practiced today. With modern day revelation we know that these opportunities can be provided after this life.)
• When called to serve his last mission, Parley told his first wife, Agatha that he had a feeling “I shall never come back.” While on his mission, Eleanor went back to New Orleans to get her children from her parents. Because Eleanor took the children, Hector (her ex) blamed Pratt.
• Hector pressed criminal charges, accusing Pratt of assisting in the kidnapping of his children. Pratt managed to evade him and the legal charges, but was finally arrested in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in May 1857. Pratt and Eleanor McLean were charged with theft of the clothing of McLean's children. (The laws of that time did not recognize the kidnapping of children by a parent as a crime.) Tried before Judge John B. Ogden, Pratt was acquitted because of a lack of evidence and Ogden's own feelings after interviewing Eleanor. Ogden sympathized with Eleanor and Pratt, because he was so disgusted by Hector's drinking and wife-beating. Shortly after being secretly released, on May 13, 1857, Pratt was shot and stabbed by Hector on a farm northeast of Van Buren, Arkansas. He died two and a half hours later from loss of blood.
• As Pratt was bleeding to death, a farmer asked what he had done to provoke the attack. Pratt said, "He accused me of taking his wife and children. I did not do it. They were oppressed, and I did for them what I would do for the oppressed any where." Pratt was buried near Alma, Arkansas, despite his desire to be buried in Utah Territory.
• His dying words were said to be, "I am dying a martyr to the faith."
• In 2008, Pratt's family received permission from an Arkansas judge to rebury his remains in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, but no human remains were found at what was believed his gravesite. No further search efforts for Pratt's burial site have been planned.

(Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parley_P._Pratt
http://jared.pratt-family.org/parley_family_histories/ann_agatha_walker_reminiscences.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APFlh_VGvio )

Highlights from the Book

What is Theology?

First. THEOLOGY is the science of communication, or of correspondence, between God, angels, spirits, and men, by means of visions, dreams, interpretations, conversations, inspirations, or the spirit of prophecy and revelation.

Second. It is the science by which worlds are organized, sustained, and directed, and the elements controlled.

Third. It is the science of knowledge, and the key and power thereof, by which the heavens are opened, and lawful access is obtained to the treasures of wisdom and intelligence—inexhaustible, infinite, embracing the past, the present, and the future.

Fourth. It is the science of life—endless and eternal, by which the living are changed or translated, and the dead raised.

Fifth. It is the science of faith, reformation, and remission of sins, whereby a fallen race of mortals may be justified, cleansed, and restored to the communion and fellowship of that Holy Spirit which is the light of the world, and of every intelligence therein.

Sixth. It is the science of spiritual gifts, by which the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the sick are healed, and demons are expelled from the human system.

Seventh. It is the science of all other sciences and useful arts, being in fact the very fountain from which they emanate. It includes philosophy, astronomy, history, mathematics, geography, languages, the science of letters; and blends the knowledge of all matters of fact, in every branch of art, or of research. It includes, also, all the scientific discoveries and inventions—agriculture, the mechanical arts, architecture, shipbuilding, the properties and applications of the mariner's compass, navigation, and music. All that is useful, great, and good; all that is calculated to sustain, comfort, instruct, edify, purify, refine, or exalt intelligences; originated by this science, and this science alone, all other sciences being but branches growing out of this—root.

By the perversion and unlawful use of this science king Nimrod built the stupendous Tower of Babel, but was frustrated, and his works were destroyed before their completion.

By the perversion and unlawful use of this science the magicians of Egypt withstood Moses for a time, and performed their enchantments.

By it he rose, like Enoch, to a higher sphere, without returning to dust.

Finally—By this same power a mighty angel descended, shook the earth, frightened the Roman guards, rolled away the great stone, broke the seal of the tomb, and called to life the sleeping body of Jesus Christ.

By this power the risen Jesus, eating, drinking, and conversing with his disciples, after his resurrection, commissioned and instructed them in the same science, ordained them to act in the same, and to impart its power to others, in all the world, with signs following them that believed.

By this science he ascended to the Father, and lives for ever in the flesh, to shed forth the gifts and powers of the same science, according to his own will, and the will of his Father, to reign henceforth until he descends to the earth, conquers death in a last great conflict, and puts all enemies under his feet.

By this same power his Apostles, being clothed with the full powers of the same on the day of Pentecost, ministered the powers and knowledge of this science to others, both Jew and Gentile, insomuch that the sick were healed, the blind saw, the dumb spake, the deaf heard, the lame walked, devils were cast out, and the dead were raised, while everywhere, dreams, visions, the ministering of angels, and the gift of prophecy were enjoyed.

By this science the Prophets Lehi and Nephi came out with a colony from Jerusalem, in the days of Jeremiah the Prophet, and after wandering for eight years in the wilderness of Arabia, came to the sea coast, built a vessel, obtained from the Lord a compass to guide them on the way, and finally landed in safety on the coast of what is now called Chili, in South America.

By this science these twelve and others established the Gospel, Church, and ordinances of God throughout the entire western hemisphere.

By this science their sick were healed, demons were expelled, the lame walked, the blind saw, the dumb spake, the deaf heard, and their dead were raised.

By this science three of those Apostles, having a change wrought upon them, tarried in the flesh upon the earth, ministered the Gospel and its blessings nearly four hundred years, and then withdrew from the people because of their iniquity, took away the keys of Apostleship and of the Gospel, and its powers, sealed up the records, and caused the work of healing, and of gifts and miracles, to cease from among the people, because of iniquity, bloodshed, and persecution.

By this science they yet live in the flesh upon the earth, holding keys of Apostleship and power upon the western hemisphere, being now about one thousand eight hundred years old.

Loss of the Science of Theology in the Western Hemisphere

All government became extinct, and the countries overrun by tribes and bands of robbers at war with each other.

Keys of the Mysteries of the Godhead

On account of the double relationship of Jesus Christ—with God the Father on one hand, and with man on the other, many have adopted the creed, that "Two whole and perfect natures" were blended in the person of Jesus Christ; that he was every way a God, and every way a man; as if God and man were two distinct species. This error came by reason of not knowing ourselves. For just in proportion as we comprehend ourselves in our true light, and our relationships and affinities with the past, present and future, with time and eternity, with Gods, angels, spirits and men, who have gone before us, and who will come after us, so, in proportion, we may be able to benefit by the keys of the mysteries of the Godhead, or, in other words, to know and comprehend Jesus Christ and his Father.

An immortal man, possessing a perfect organization of spirit, flesh, and bones, and perfected in his attributes, in all the fulness of celestial glory, is called a God.

An immortal man, in progress of perfection, or quickened with a lesser degree of glory, is called an angel.

An immortal spirit of man, not united with a fleshly tabernacle, is called a spirit.

An immortal man, clothed with a mortal tabernacle, is called a man.

All physical element, however embodied, quickened, or refined, is subject to the general laws necessary to all existence.

Some of these laws are as follows—

First. Each atom, or embodiment of atoms, necessarily occupies a certain amount of space.

Second. No atom, or embodiment of atoms, can occupy the identical space occupied by other atoms or bodies.

Third. Each individual organized intelligence must possess the power of self motion to a greater or less degree.

Fourth. All voluntary motion implies an inherent will, to originate and direct such motion.

Fifth. Motion, of necessity, implies that a certain amount of time is necessary, in passing from one portion of space to another.

These laws are absolute and unchangeable in their nature, and apply to all intelligent agencies which do or can exist.

He associates with myriads of His own begotten sons and daughters who, by translation or resurrection, have triumphed over death.

Origins of the Universe

And it is intimated that, of the spirits thus placed upon their agency, one-third failed to keep their first estate, and were thrust down, and reserved in chains of darkness, for future judgment. As these are not permitted to multiply their species, or to move forward in the scale of progressive being, while in this state of bondage and condemnation, we will trace them no further, as their final destiny is not revealed to mortals.

During his progress in the flesh, the Holy Spirit may gradually awaken his faculties; and in a dream, or vision, or by the spirit of prophecy, reveal, or rather awaken the memory to, a partial vision, or to a dim and half defined recollection of the intelligence of the past. He sees in part, and he knows in part; but never while tabernacled in mortal flesh will he fully awake to the intelligence of his former estate. It surpasses his comprehension, is unspeakable, and even unlawful to be uttered.
When—O when, will their day dawn, and the day star of their ancient science appear above the horizon, disperse the cloud, and usher in the morning of a brighter day?

Worlds are mansions for the home of intelligences.

When the planet on which he dwells has conceived, brought forth, and nourished the number of tabernacles assigned to it in its rudimental state, by infinite wisdom, it must needs be acted upon by a chemical process. The purifying elements; for instance, fire, must needs be employed to bring it through an ordeal, a refinement, a purification, a change commensurate with that which had before taken place in the physical tabernacle of its inhabitants. Thus renovated, it is adapted to resurrected man.

Joy, in its fulness, depends on certain principles, viz.—

In order to be wealthy, eternal man must possess a certain portion of the surface of some eternal planet, adapted to his order or sphere of existence.

This inheritance, incorruptible, eternal in the heavens, must be sufficiently extensive for his accommodation, with all his family dependencies. It must also comprise a variety of elements, adapted to his use and convenience. Eternal gold, silver, precious stones, and other precious materials would be useful in the erection and furnishing of mansions, and of public and private dwellings or edifices.

Keys of Knowledge Power and Government 

First. The Gods, composed of embodied spirits, who inhabit tabernacles of immortal flesh and bones in their most refined state, and who are perfected in all the attributes of intelligence and power.

Second. The Angels, who are also composed of spirits and immortal flesh and bones, less refined, and endowed with vast intelligence and power, but not a fulness.

Third. Embodied Spirits, without a tabernacle of flesh and bones. These are they who hate passed the veil of death, and are awaiting a resurrection.

Fourth. Embodied Spirits, with mortal tabernacles, as in the present world.

Fifth. Embodied Spirits, who have not yet descended to be clothed upon with mortality, but who are candidates for the same.

There is also a sixth division, but of those we need not speak, as they are not, as yet, included in the scale of progressive being, not having kept their first estate.

The spirits of all men in their primeval states, were intelligent. But among these intelligences some were more noble, that is to say, more intelligent than others.

And God said, these will I make rulers in my kingdoms.[A] Upon this principle was manifested the election, before the foundation of the world, of certain individuals to certain offices, as written in the Scriptures.

In other words, certain individuals, more intelligent than the others, were chosen by the Head, to teach, instruct, edify, improve, govern, and minister truth and salvation to others; and to hold the delegated powers or keys of government, in the several spheres of progressive being.

These were not only chosen, but set apart, by a holy ordinance in the
eternal worlds, as Embassadors, Foreign Ministers, Priests, Kings,
Apostles, &c., to fill the various stations in the vast empire of the
Sovereign of all.

Although the chosen instruments to hold the keys of this Priesthood must be the literal lineage of Israel, yet that lineage are not all thus commissioned, nor indeed are any of them Priests merely because they are of the chosen seed. Such an instrument must be revealed, and his ordination which he had before the world began, be renewed and confirmed upon his fleshly tabernacle, or he cannot be a Priest on earth.

Oh the weariness, the painful suspense, the watchings, the wanderings, the anxieties, the pains and sorrows of eighteen centuries! Oh the mist of ages which has shrouded a nation as it were in the gloom of an endless night!

When—O when, will their day dawn, and the day star of their ancient science appear above the horizon, disperse the cloud, and usher in the morning of a brighter day?

When the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

When they shall welcome a messenger in the name of the Lord.

That dispensation will fulfil the times of the Gentiles, complete their fulness, restore the kingdom to Israel, gather home their twelve tribes, organize them into a theocratic government, that is, a government founded and guided by Prophets, Priesthood, visions and revelations. It will, in fact, not only restore to them the ministration of angels, but receive its final consummation, by the resurrection of the ancient Saints, and their return to the earth, accompanied by the Son of God, in his own proper person. To this dispensation, all nations must submit.

Revival of the Science in This Present Age

In the midst of all this scene, the Prophet's presence of mind did not forsake him. He saw his brother Hyrum fall, stiffen and die. He then exclaimed, in the anguish of his soul—"O my brother!" and sprang for the window, amid showers of ball as thick as hail. He instantly threw himself from the upper story into the midst of the bristling bayonets of the enemy, and, on alighting, was pierced with a shower of balls, and instantly died without a struggle or a groan.

A modern Prophet! Yes, a mighty Seer!
From Israel's royal line, must next appear;
Clad in the spirit of Elijah's power,
To prune the vineyard in th' eleventh hour;
To light the dawn of that effulgent day,
When King Messiah shall his sceptre sway.

Thus ended the mortal career of a youth who had revealed the ancient history of a continent; restored to man the keys and powers of the divine science of Theology; organized the Church and kingdom of God, and revealed, and re-established those principles, which will eventually prevail, and govern the sons of earth, in countless ages yet unborn. "The good shepherd," said Jesus, "layeth down his life for the sheep."

Keys of Initiation 

The candidate is now initiated into the first principles of the science of Divine Theology. His mind is quickened, his intellectual faculties are aroused to intense activity. He is, as it were, illuminated. He learns more of divine truth in a few days, than he could have learned in a life time in the best merely human institutions in the world.

This law of spiritual fluid, its communicative properties, and the channel by which it is imparted from one person to another, bear some resemblance, or analogy, to the laws and operations of electricity. Like electricity, it is imparted by the contact of two bodies, through the channel of the nerves.

Having passed through this ordinance, the hands of some one, or more, of the authorised Priesthood, are next laid upon the head of the candidate, in the same sacred names, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is confirmed upon him. This baptism of water and of the Spirit is called a new birth; and it is in reality a repetition of the natural birth, or entrance into the elements of a new existence.

The embryo formation of the human body, is commenced and sustained by blood and spirit, in the womb of nature, where, until the period of birth, it floats in the element of water. At birth, then, it is literally born of water, that is, it emerges from that element in which it has been so long immersed, into a different element, called the atmosphere, which then becomes a necessary element of existence.

The candidate is now initiated into the first principles of the science of Divine Theology. His mind is quickened, his intellectual faculties are aroused to intense activity. He is, as it were, illuminated. He learns more of divine truth in a few days, than he could have learned in a life time in the best merely human institutions in the world.

He also feels the spirit of prayer and watchfulness continually, and pours out his soul in the same, and finds he is answered in all things which are expedient. He is now in a fit capacity to exercise some one or more of the spiritual gifts.

The Philosophy of Miracles

An agent filled with this heavenly fluid cannot impart of the same to another, unless that other is justified, washed, cleansed from all his impurities of heart, affections, habits or practices, by the blood of atonement, which is generally applied in connexion with the baptism of remission.

This spiritual substance is the most refined, subtle, and powerful element in the universe. It is endowed with all wisdom, all knowledge, all intelligence and power. In short, it is the light, life, power and principle of all things, by which they move; and of all intelligences, by which they think.

The mandates of angels, or of holy men, in order to be legal, or of due force and power, must be issued in the name of Jesus Christ, or of the three who compose the Head Council; and must be in accordance with their united mind and will. The Holy Spirit then goes forth and executes their mandates. This agency being invisible, and the effect visible, the act performed appears to those who are unacquainted with spiritual agency, as a miracle, or an effect without a cause.

All these gifts and miracles were the workings of that one, and the self same Spirit given to the members of the Church of the Saints, while the world did not partake of a sufficient measure of the Spirit to possess these gifts. The reason of this is, that they did not repent, and believe in Jesus Christ, and be baptized in his name, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of the hands of the Priesthood—these duties and ordinances, being the legal or appointed channel by which the gift of the Holy Spirit was imparted. The reason why these gifts of the Spirit have not been enjoyed in all ages of the so called "Christian Church" is because it is not the true Church; nor, is the true ministry or Apostleship to be found among the Church, or Churches, where these gifts are denied. Every minister and member of such institutions have need to repent, and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins; and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands of those who have authority, in order to enter into the kingdom of God.

These ordinances, ministered by a legal Priesthood, being divinely appointed, are the only legitimate means by which man may receive and exercise these divine powers; or, in other words, they are the means ordained of God, by which one being may communicate or impart a portion of this divine substance to another, so as to place that other in communication with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and with angels, and the spirits of just men in the world of spirits, and with the members of the true Church on the earth.

To heal a person by the touch, or by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus Christ, or to impart the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, is as much in accordance with the laws of nature, as for water to seek its own level, an apple to fall to the ground when loosened from the tree where it grew, quicksilver to attract its own affinities, or the magnet to obey its own laws.

The usual channel for all spiritual fluids, whether holy or impure, in their operations upon the human system, or in their passage from one animal body to another, is the nerves.

A person commissioned of Jesus Christ, and filled with this spiritual substance, can impart of the same to another, provided there is a preparation of heart, and faith on the part of the receiver. Or if, as in cases of healing, casting out devils, &c., it happens that the receiver has no command of his own mind—as in cases of little children, persons swooned, fainted, deranged, or dead, then the faith of the administrator alone, or in connexion with other friends and agents, in his behalf, is sufficient, in many cases, to perform the work.

However, the touch, or laying on of hands, is not the only means of communicating the gift of healing. A word spoken, a mandate issued, or even a handkerchief, apron, or other garment, worn or touched by a person full of this Spirit, and conveyed to another, has, according to sacred history, and also the experience of the present age, proved sufficient to communicate the spiritual fluid, between minds of strong and mutual faith. So well acquainted was the Prophet Elisha with this principle, that he sent his servant to lay his staff upon a dead child, in order to raise it from the dead; but, in this instance, the undertaking failed. The Prophet could only resuscitate the child by placing face on face, eye to eye, mouth to mouth, hand to hand, &c., so as to give the greatest possible effect to the imparting of the spirit of life.

When the miracles and gifts of the divine Spirit ceased from among men, Christianity ceased, the Christian ministry ceased, the Church of Christ ceased.

That ministry which sets aside modern inspiration, revelation, prophecy, angels, visions, healings, etc., is not ordained of God; but is Anti-Christian in spirit. In short, it is that spirit of priestcraft and kingcraft, by which the world, for many ages, has been ruled as with a rod of iron.

Angels and Spirits

SPIRITS are those who have departed this life, and have not yet been raised from the dead.

These are of two kinds, viz.—Good and evil.

These two kinds also include many grades of good and evil.

The good spirits, in the superlative sense of the word, are they who, in this life, partook of the Holy Priesthood, and of the fulness of the Gospel.

This class of spirits minister to the heirs of salvation, both in this world and in the world of spirits. They can appear unto men, when permitted; but not having a fleshly tabernacle, they cannot hide their glory. Hence, an unembodied spirit, if it be a holy personage, will be surrounded with a halo of resplendent glory, or brightness, above the brightness of the sun.

Whereas, spirits not worthy to be glorified will appear without this brilliant halo; and, although they often attempt to pass as angels of light, there is more or less of darkness about them.

Many spirits of the departed, who are unhappy, linger in lonely wretchedness about the earth, and in the air, and especially about their ancient homesteads, and the places rendered dear to them by the memory of former scenes. The more wicked of these are the kind spoken of in Scripture, as "foul spirits," "unclean spirits," spirits who afflict persons in the flesh, and engender various diseases in the human system. They will sometimes enter human bodies, and will distract them, throw them into fits, cast them into the water, into the fire, &c. They will trouble them with dreams, nightmare, hysterics, fever, &c. They will also deform them in body and in features, by convulsions, cramps, contortions, &c., and will sometimes compel them to utter blasphemies, horrible curses, and even words of other languages. If permitted, they will often cause death. Some of these spirits are adulterous, and suggest to the mind all manner of lasciviousness, all kinds of evil thoughts and temptations.

A person, on looking another in the eye, who is possessed of an evil spirit, will feel a shock—a nervous feeling, which will, as it were, make his hair stand on end; in short, a shock resembling that produced in a nervous system by the sight of a serpent.

Some of these foul spirits, when possessing a person, will cause a disagreeable smell about the person thus possessed, which will be plainly manifest to the senses of those about him, even though the person thus afflicted should be washed and change his clothes every few minutes.

There are, in fact, most awful instances of the spirit of lust, and of bawdy and abominable words and actions, inspired and uttered by persons possessed of such spirits, even though the persons were virtuous and modest so long as they possessed their own agency.

Some of these spirits cause deafness, others dumbness, etc.

Among the diversified spirits abroad in the world here are many religious spirits, which are not of God, but which deceive those who have not the keys of Apostleship and Priesthood, or, in other words, the keys of the science of Theology to guide them. Some of these spirits are manifested in the camp-meetings of certain sects, and in nearly all the excitements and confusions in religious meetings falsely called "revivals." All the strange extacies, swoonings, screamings, shoutings, dancings, jumpings, and a thousand other ridiculous and unseemly manifestations, which neither edify nor instruct, are the fruits of these deceptive spirits.

We must, however, pity, rather than ridicule, or despise, the subjects or advocates of these deceptions. Many of them are honest, but they have no Apostles, nor other officers, nor gifts to detect evil, or to keep them from being led by every delusive spirit.

There is still another class of unholy spirits at work in the world—spirits diverse from all these, far more intelligent, and, if possible, still more dangerous. These are, the spirit of divination, vision, foretelling, familiar spirits, "Animal Magnetism," "Mesmerism," &c., which reveal many and great truths mixed with the greatest errors, and also display much intelligence, but have not the keys of the science of Theology—the Holy Priesthood.

These spirits, generally, deny the divinity of Christ, and the great truths of the atonement, and of the resurrection of the body. Of such are the Shakers of the United States, and their revelations. They deny the resurrection of the body. From this source are the revelations of Emmanuel Swedenborg, which also deny the resurrection. From this source, also, are the revelations of Andrew Jackson Davis, of Poughkeepsie, New York, which deny the resurrection and the atonement. From this source are all the revelations which deny the ordinances of the Gospel, and the keys and gifts of the Holy Apostleship.

Last of all, these are they who climb up in some other way, besides the door, into the sheepfold; and who prophesy or work in their own name, and not in the name of Jesus Christ.

No man can do a miracle in the name and by the authority of Jesus
Christ, except he be a good man, and authorized by him.

Dreams

When the outward organs of thought and perception are released from their activity, the nerves unstrung, and the whole of mortal humanity lies hushed in quiet slumbers, in order to renew its strength and vigour, it is then that the spiritual organs are at liberty, in a certain degree, to assume their wonted functions, to recall some faint outlines, some confused and half defined recollections, of that heavenly world, and those endearing scenes of their former estate, from which they have descended in order to obtain and mature a tabernacle of flesh. Their kindred spirits, their guardian angels then hover about them with the fondest affection, the most anxious solicitude. Spirit communes with spirit, thought meets thought, soul blends with soul, in all the raptures of mutual, pure, and eternal love.

It is the pure in heart, the lovers of truth and virtue, that will appreciate these remarks, for they know, by at least a small degree of experience, that these things are so.

Those who are habitually given to vice, immorality and abomination; those who walk in the daily indulgence of unlawful lust; those who neither believe in Jesus Christ, nor seek to pray to him, and keep his commandments; those who do not cultivate the pure, refined and holy joys of innocent and heavenly affection, but who would sacrifice every finer feeling at the shrine of lawless pleasure and brutal desires—those persons will not understand and appreciate these views, because their good angels, their kindred spirits have long since departed, and ceased to attend them, being grieved and disgusted with their conduct.

The Spirit of the Lord has also been grieved, and has left them to themselves, to struggle alone amid the dangers and sorrows of life; or to be the associates of demons and impure spirits. Such persons dream of adultery, gluttony, debauchery, and crimes of every kind. Such persons have the foreshadowings of a doleful death, and of darkness, and the buffetings of fiends and malicious spirits.

The Spirit World

As to its location, it is here on the very planet where we were born; or, in other words, the earth and other planets of a like sphere, have their inward or spiritual spheres, as well as their outward, or temporal. The one is peopled by temporal tabernacles, and the other by spirits. A vail is drawn between the one sphere and the other, whereby all the objects in the spiritual sphere are rendered invisible to those in the temporal.

To discern beings or things in the spirit world, a person in the flesh must be quickened by spiritual element, the vail must be withdrawn, or the organs of sight, or of hearing, must be transformed, so as to be adapted to the spiritual sphere. This state is called vision, trance, second sight, clairvoyance, etc.

The former bid farewell to the world of spirits on the third day, and returned to his tabernacle of flesh, in which he ascended to thrones, principalities, and powers, while the latter is, no doubt, improving in the spirit world, and waiting, believing, hoping for the redemption of the body.

Again, those who obey the Gospel in the present age will rise from the spirit world, and from the grave, and reign on the earth during the great thousand years; while those who reject it will remain in condemnation in the spirit world, without a resurrection, till the last trump shall sound, and death and hell deliver up their dead.

Resurrection

The second will take place in a few years from the present time, and will be immediately succeeded by the coming of Jesus Christ, in power and great glory, with all his Saints and Angels. This resurrection will include the Former and Latter-day Saints—all those who have received the Gospel since the former resurrection.

But in the resurrection which now approaches, and in connexion with the glorious coming of Jesus Christ, the earth will undergo a change in its physical features, climate, soil, productions; and in its political, moral, and spiritual government.

Mineralogy will also be greatly improved, and its knowledge extended. Its hidden treasures will be developed, and gold, silver and the most precious and beautiful stones will be the building materials in most common use, and will compose the utensils and furniture of the habitations of man.

Why, then, should his aspirations not reach forth, his mind expand, his bosom swell with love, and his heart beat with the boundless, fathomless infinitude of thought, of feeling, and of love? Why not be noble and boundless in charity, like the God whom he calls his father? Why does he not rise from his groveling sphere in this small island, which floats in the ocean of space, as a small black speck, amid the numberless shining orbs? The reason is obvious; it is not for the want of noble aspirations; it is not for the want of grand conceptions; it is not for the lack of will. It is because the body is chained, imprisoned, confined here, by the operation or attraction of surrounding elements, which man has not yet discovered the means to control. It may be said that the powers of earth enslave him, and chain him down, beyond the possibility or hope of escape.

Now, if it were possible to overcome the resisting elements, so as to increase the speed of conveyance for your body—that is, if there were no resisting element to be overcome, your will might dictate, and your body would move through actual space with the speed of light, or electricity. There is no apparent limit to the speed attainable by the body when unchained, set free from the elements which now enslave it, and dictated by the will.

Planets will be visited, messages communicated, acquaintances and friendships formed, and the sciences vastly extended and cultivated.

Next in order, will be the field of prophetic science. The spirit of prophecy will be poured upon the immortal mind, till, from seeing in part, and knowing in part, man will be able to gaze upon a boundless prospective, a future of still increasing glory, knowledge, light, love, might, majesty, power and dominion, in which the sons of God-the kings and priests of heaven and earth, and of the heaven of heavens, and all their retinue of kingdoms and subjects, will find ample room for boundless increase and improvement, worlds without end. Amen.

In his last chapter he talks about Celestial marriage and polygamy, but because I had nothing highlighted in that chapter, I didn't share here. 

Read the book online: http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35470/pg35470-images.html

The Super Blue Blood Moon - Being Called "Trifecta Moon"

So what was this recent rare moon all about? The battle of darkness and light is ramping up as time winds down. I've experienced the truth of this in my own life over the past week and experienced a profound healing miracle! This is the hour to claim wholeness and experience the Lord's power. What does this mean for you? 

   

It's the Third Day And the Eleventh Hour - What That Means!

Here it is, in case you missed this week's video message! Can I just say, this is going to be an amazing year for so many reasons. :)

 

From Telestial to Terrestrial - Translation in These Latter Days!

My most favorite book in the Book of Mormon has always been Third Nephi - especially Chapter 17. 

16 - ...the eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

Someday we will get to see what the Nephite people witnessed and I can't wait for that day! Surprisingly, as much as I love this chapter and its telling of the heavens opening, angels coming down and encircling the children with fire and ministering unto them, and Jesus saying that His joy was full because of the Nephites' faith, so much that He wept tears of joy - it isn't the only chapter that overwhelms my heart.

In Chapter 28 we read of that beautiful moment when When Jesus Christ asks each of His twelve Nephite disciples what they desire of Him. Nine requested to speedily return to Him when their ministry on the earth was complete, however three desired to remain on the earth to bring souls to Him until His Second Coming. 

6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.

7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.

8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.

9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand.


10 And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one;

And there we learn that the Lord blesses us according to our righteous desires and that He is pleased when we desire to help others come unto Him. But are we asking Him often enough for blessings and gifts that will help us better minister unto others and lead them to Him?

In 1 Corinthians 12:31 we are taught to covet the best gifts:

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

What is the more excellent way that the Lord promises to show? The footnotes take us to Ether 12:11-12 in which we learn that it is through the gift of Jesus Christ that this more excellent way is prepared. I have found chapter 12 in its entirety to be a chest full of heavenly treasure! Well worth the read. 

The Brother of Jared

If we back up just a little we learn about the key that opens the door to this more excellent way. 

8 But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.


9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.

The key is faith! The way, is through Jesus Christ and the word (I'll expound in a minute - think Lehi's dream and the Brother of Jared), And the heavenly gift is the baptism by fire (fullness of the Holy Ghost) which allows us to pierce the veil, be in the full presence of the Lord, and is accompanied by prophecy, revelation, visions, heavenly visitors, angels, the Holy Ghost and more. 

In verse 17, Moroni references back to those three Nephites. He tells us,

And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

4 Nephi 1:3

And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.

Hebrews 6:5

They have also “tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,” 

So great is this gift, that if it is denied after receiving it, one becomes a son of perdition. 

Doctrine and Covenants 76:31-32

Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power—

They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born;

Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah

If we covet this gift, we must do all that we can to keep ourselves pure and worthy of it. Like Alma the Younger, we must be born again of the Spirit and baptized by fire. We must have that mighty change of heart and lose our desire to sin. In the meantime, while we prepare ourselves, the Lord is preparing a place for us in His Kingdom. However, even with faith and hope, there is an additional requirement that qualifies us for that mansion with the Lord. Without it we cannot receive this inheritance. That requirement is charity. Our hearts have to be changed, pure, and filled with love. We cannot be a tare. 

Ether 12:37

...except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.

Jesus Christ  - the Way or the Gift?

Some have argued that the fullness of the Priesthood is the way to the heavenly gift. What exactly is the fullness of the Priesthood? It is simply to be brought into the presence of the Father, by the Son, to be fully endowed with God’s power and being a possessor of all things, which can then be used to bless our fellow beings and to build the kingdom of God on the earth preparatory to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and those who come with Him in great glory. (reference link) 

It is the Second Anointing. Whereas the "first anointing" promises blessings in the afterlife contingent on the patron's faithfulness, the second anointing actually bestows those blessings. (reference link)

Doctrine and Covenants 50:26-30

26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.

27 Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.

28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin.

29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.

30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask; and as ye are appointed to the head, the spirits shall be subject unto you.

This comment I found on another blog, best supports and describes how I feel about the Heavenly Gift. 

"To me, from everything I’ve studied and read, the Heavenly Gift is to come into the presence of the Son. I have the gift of the Holy Ghost, so do you. I have been ordained to the priesthood, so have you. We have been endowed and taught sacred things about how to come into the presence of the Lord that are ONLY revealed in the temple.

The power of the priesthood, think about that phrase, can ONLY be received directly from God. It is not the same as authority or simply an ordination. Those are both invitations to go and get the real thing. We know we can’t pass the power of the priesthood from one man to another. We can only confer and ordain – invitations to go and get the real thing.


My conclusion: the Heavenly Gift is to receive power, directly from Christ, either by hearing his voice or by having him lay his hands upon our head. This fits the scripture that power cannot be passed from man to man – only authority can be given – an earthly authority at that. It is when we are in the presence of Christ we receive the fullness of the priesthood. The Heavenly gift IS the fullness of the priesthood."

Another commenter pointed out, 

"Why are the Gentiles failing to partake of the Heavenly Gift? We lack faith, hope, and charity."


Doctrine and Covenants 109:14-15

"And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books . . . And that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost” 

From this scripture I have always believed that the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Fulness of the Holy Ghost are two separate things. We get the gift when we are baptized and the fulness occurs only after we are baptized by fire. The fulness of the Holy Ghost accompanies the fulness of the Priesthood - something that only God can give, and He is no respecter of persons when giving this gift. 

Translation - Part of the Heavenly Gift?


The Heavenly Gift, is something God bestows upon us to help further His work. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “It is a very reasonable thought to believe that both Moses and Alma, like Elijah and John [the Revelator], were translated to accomplish some work which the Lord had in store for them at some future day”

Whether in or out of the body, transfigured or translated while having these Heavenly experiences, it is by the glory of God that we can endure His presence. Translation operates at the Terrestrial level, and it isn't until resurrection that we can fully operate in the Celestial realm. Resurrection is the next step.  

According to Parley P. Pratt, ordinary human beings are said to have a telestial body; people who are translated are said to have a terrestrial body; and people who are resurrected are said to have a celestial body. The terrestrial body would be different from the Terrestrial glory of heaven, just as the present world is considered "telestial" but is not the Telestial glory of heaven. Translated beings with terrestrial bodies can appear or disappear the way the resurrected Jesus did in the 24th chapter of Luke. However, those who have resurrected "celestial" bodies have more power than those with terrestrial bodies. Thus when the wicked are resurrected, they will have power over Satan - a teaching we learned from Joseph Smith. 

What is Translation and What is it's Purpose?

Enoch

I once had an experience back in 2013 that really got me thinking about this subject. It was so profound for me that I wrote a post about it. I truly felt the men I encountered were either resurrected or translated beings. Here is what I have since learned about both types of beings. 

Both translated and resurrected beings are eternally young and fit, not subject to illness or injury and spend their existences as ministering angels doing things that require physical bodies to perform; for example, where a disembodied spirit can record events as a witness and offer comfort or advice, a physical body is required to perform ordinances such as laying on of hands.(reference link)

When righteous individuals are translated, their bodies are changed so they are not subject to mortal pain or death. Sometimes translated beings are taken from the earth without experiencing death in order to fulfill the Lord’s purposes. Translated beings, however, will undergo a future change as they pass from a translated state to a resurrected state.
https://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-study-guide/alma-45?lang=eng


And according to The Encyclopedia of Mormonism translation is defined as,

"changed from a mortal state to one in which they are temporarily not subject to death, and in which they experience neither pain nor sorrow except for the sins of the world. Such beings appear to have much greater power than mortals. All translated beings will eventually experience physical death and resurrection.Translation is a necessary condition in special instances to further the work of the Lord."

"...Resurrection is a step beyond translation"

"Translated beings are assigned special ministries, some to remain among mortals, as seems to be the case of John and the Three Nephites, or for other purposes, as in the case of Moses and Elijah, who were translated in order to appear with physical bodies hundreds of years later on the mount oftransfiguration prior to the resurrection of Christ. Had they been spirits only, they could not have laid hands on the mortal Peter, James, and John. the Prophet Joseph Smith explained the role of translated beings thus: "Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead. The scriptures do not define differences between transfiguration and translation, but it appears that transfiguration is more temporary, occurring primarily to permit one to behold spiritual things not possible in the mortal condition." 

Bruce R. McConkie has said,

Bruce R. McConkie

"In this state they are not subject to sorrow or to disease or to death. No longer does blood (the life-giving element of our present mortality) flow in their veins. Procreation ceases. If they then had children, their offspring would be denied a mortal probation, which all worthy spirits must receive in due course. They have power to move and live in both a mortal and an unseen sphere. All translated beings undergo another change in their bodies when they gain full immortality.... Millennial man will live in a state akin to translation. His body will be changed so that it is no longer subject to disease or death as we know it, although he will be changed in the twinkling of an eye to full immortality when he is a hundred years of age. He will, however, have children, and mortal life of a millennial kind will continue."


Translation - a Fruit of Zion?

Are we ready to build the City of Zion? The answer to this question will better help us understand our proximity to the gift of translation in these latter days. A better question might be, are we ready to leave this world (Babylon) behind? 

Here's what the prophets and modern day leaders have told us about translation;

"Zion is the great moment of transition, the bridge between the world as it is and the world as God designed it and meant it to be."Hugh Nibley; Approaching Zion, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), 3-4.

"Jesus will never receive the Zion of God unless its people are united according to celestial law, for all who go into the presence of God have to go there by this law. Enoch had to practice this law, and we shall have to do the same if we are ever accepted of God as he was. It has been promised that the New Jerusalem will be built up in our day and generation, and it will have to be done by the United Order of Zion according to celestial law."  Wilford Woodruff; Journal of Discourses, 17:250.

"First, if the Saints are to become part of the great celestial system of eternity in the resurrection, they must, as a people, practice the law of Zion. Second, essentially the same program was required of Enoch and his people, so that they might enter into the presence of the Lord and be translated to a state of glory.

City of Zion 

Finally, the same challenge confronts the Saints in the last days. They, too, must build up Zion so that Christ can receive them unto Himself when He comes to reign on earth in His glory. This means that there are certain prerequisites that must be achieved by the Saints before Christ comes. The Lord told Enoch that in the last days Zion, the New Jerusalem, would be built 'that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming.' The implication in this statement is that the Saints cannot look intelligently for the Second Coming and expect to be accepted by Christ unless they have built the society of Zion. When the New Jerusalem is built, Zion will be established upon the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom. Here is a prerequisite that must be fulfilled before the coming of Christ; and here is the challenge of the Saints." Hyrum L. Andrus; Doctrinal Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1969), 315-316

Orson Pratt

"...and he will purify the sons of Moses and of Aaron, until they shall be prepared to offer in that Temple and offering that shall be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. In doing this, he will purify not only the minds of the Priesthood in that Temple, but he will purify their bodies until they shall be quickened, renewed and strengthened, and they will be partially changed, not to immortality, but changed in part that they can be filled with the power of God, and they can stand in the presence of Jesus, and behold his face in the midst of that Temple.This will prepare them for further ministrations among the nations of the earth, it will prepare them to go forth in the days of tribulation and vengeance upon the nations of the wicked, when God will smite them with pestilence, plague and earthquake, such as former generations never knew." Orson Pratt; Journal of Discourses, 15:366.

Spencer W. Kimball

"O my beloved hearers, what a world it would be if a million families in this church were to be on their knees like this every night and morning! And what a world it would be if nearly a hundred million families in this great land and other hundreds in other lands were praying for their sons and daughters twice daily. And what a world this would be if a billion families through the world were in home evenings and church activity and were on their physical knees pouring out their souls for their children, their families, their leaders, their governments!This kind of family life could bring us back toward the translation experience of righteous Enoch. The millennium would be ushered in." Spencer W. Kimball, “The Family Influence,” Ensign, July 1973, 15

"There is a Priesthood in the heavens, and we have the same Priesthood on the earth, but there should be a closer communion between the Priesthood on the earth and the Priesthood in the heavens; it is desirable that we should be brought into closer proximity, we want to be advancing as Enoch advanced." President John Taylor; Journal of Discourses, 25:308

John Taylor

"How perfect it was in the days of Enoch we are not told, but everything that they had revealed to them pertaining to the organization of the Church of God, also pertaining to doctrine and ordinances, we have had revealed to us, excepting one thing, and that is the principle and power of translation; that, however, will in due time be restored also." President John Taylor; Journal of Discourses, 23:33

"The principle of translation was a principle that at that time existed in the Church, and is one of the principles of the Gospel, and which will exist in the last days." President John Taylor; Journal of Discourses, 26:90

Joseph F. Smith

"Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead." Joseph Fielding Smith; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1993), 169-171

"Although they had the ability to live in the earth among men, they had power over the elements of earth, power over the law of gravitation, by which they could move over the face of the earth with the speed f their own thoughts, power to reveal themselves to men; and yet power to mingle and move among men unobserved and hidden."  N.B. Lundwall;  Early Masterpieces of Latter-Saint Leaders, (Leatherwood Press 2005), 99.

Translation in the Latter Days

Pastor Bruce Allen

While pondering this topic I was intrigued to learn one day of a Christian pastor (Bruce Allen) who passionately speaks and writes on this topic. I have studied his experiences and messages and though he mostly speaks of translocation (travel through heavenly portals by faith) experiences, he terms these experiences under the umbrella of "translation". He speaks of his body changing (through a process) and not responding to the laws of time. He speaks of getting younger. 

In this article posted in 2008, Bruce expands on his story, which I found very interesting. 

At the tender age of four, Bruce Allen was playing with his brothers and sisters when he suddenly blurted out, "We are going to be here when Jesus comes back." One of his siblings asked, "Who's Jesus?".

The four‑year‑old Bruce only shrugged and went back to play.

"All my life I've had premonition of things to come before they happened," said Pastor Bruce
According to Pastor Bruce, the Third Day is the times we are now living in which is the beginning stages of paradise. After the Old Testament period, comes the Gentile period and then paradise when Jesus returns. Although Jesus has not yet come, the ending of the Gentile period signifies us entering into the last or third stage where Satan is defeated and the spiritual temple raised in the New Jerusalem.

"However, we are not called to follow the signs and wonders or the people behind them. What we are called to do is press on to be mature sons and daughters of God and set ourselves apart as Holy vessels for the glory of God. Then signs and wonders will follow us," warns Pastor Bruce.

Pastor Bruce Allen has been blessed to experience these signs and wonders in a way very few people have. He was translated in the spirit while ministering before a full congregation at Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, USA at Rending The Heavens conference in December 2002. He was suddenly caught up in the Spirit and found himself looking down on the continent of Europe. He was taken to a city and God told him it was in the nation of Latvia. He then came to a block of flats and was led to enter flat number 212.

"In that apartment I saw a little girl kneeling beside her bed, crying and praying to the Lord. Instantly I knew her name. It was Natalya. She didn't seem surprised or afraid to see me. I asked her why she was crying and she told me that she and her parents were hungry and cold, her parents had lost their jobs and now they were being evicted by the landlord. I was led of the Lord to comfort and encourage her and pray with her. Once I had finished praying with her I returned to the conference.

"The congregation did not suspect anything amiss because my body was still there in their presence. They did not know my spirit had left, gone to Latvia and returned. However, when Robert Bartow, a professional photographer took a photograph of me while in translation my body looked transparent as if it were an apparition," said Pastor Bruce. (Photo below was taken by Robert Bartow of Pastor Bruce in translation).

Unedited original photo taken by Robert Bartow 

"Translations, being taken up to heaven, visitation by angels and Jesus are getting more common now in this third day…In Iraq today there are a few hundred churches when there were hardly any before. And most of the people came to the Lord through a personal encounter with Jesus. The time is short and that is why He is appearing to more people, even non Christians and more people are being taken up to heaven," said Pastor Bruce.

Pastor Bruce teaches that as a part of this end time gathering and harvest, translation will be a necessary gift for many of God’s servants to do His work upon the Earth. In order for His servants to enter dangerous and forbidden locations throughout the world to share the gospel, they will need this gift. 


“We all want the finished product not recognizing the process. But let me give you an encouraging word. What took some of us years, doesn’t have to take you years. There is a grace in this hour because it’s the final hour, the day of conclusion. It’s the day of completion. The finish line is in sight and the Lord promised a quick work. If you’ve been struggling with your ability to recognize the voice of God…if you’ve been having difficulty in seeing into the realm of the Spirit, there is a grace here. God wants you to have that ability in the days ahead because you are going to need it…it’s the third day and what He’s doing, he’s doing quickly. And what you could never do for yourself, God’s going to intervene into your life, and bring you through a process very quickly. But He’s looking for willing hearts, hearts of passion, hearts that say, ‘here am I Lord’. Who qualifies to walk in this? Those who render Him total obedience. They will receive a unique manifestation of the reciprocation of His love by way of disclosing Himself. This is a promise for you right now." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWvwcCDdl-U

The day I discovered Bruce Allen, I was shown many other Christian evangelical ministers who are also teaching that the day of the Gentile is over, and the new day that we have entered in will be accompanied by the gift of translation, as we prepare the earth meet the Savior when He comes. I was reminded that God is no respecter of persons as I shared in my post "Unity Among the Churches? - Part of Zion", 

"Evangelical, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Jehovah Witness, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Protestant, Mormon, etc. if our hearts are in Jesus, we are all on the Lord's team. Doctrinal differences aside, we all believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Together we make up the children of God. We are brothers and sisters. As Moroni tells us, God gives gifts unto all of His children, not just members of a particular church. These gifts are used to bless and benefit all. On this earth, it is the Lord's Kingdom against Satan's Kindom - there are no other teams to be on. When we try to be like Christ, and serve like Him, love like Him, we become His hands on this earth. We truly are on the same team and He uses all of us for His different purposes. He is gathering us all together into one fold. Let's not forget that. We should be rejoicing in this!

We know that during the Millennium, good and just members of many religions will be living upon the Earth. It will be Zion on the Earth. Leading up to that time, as the earth gets more wicked, I believe many people of different faiths will come together as there is strength in numbers. It will no longer be this church vs. that church but instead a united stance of righteousness vs. evil."

All who are willing to testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, of His Atonement,  and that He lives, God is going to use. Jesus is visiting Jews, Muslims, atheists, occult members, and those in communist countries where Christianity is forbidden and they are being taught who He is. Just as Samuel Hislop said in this Mormon Channel "Hope Works" series on lds.org, 

"We know that there are fifteen million Latter-day Saints in the world...but we should also put into context that among seven billion people we're still a pretty tiny minority...you would need a pretty powerful microscope to even see us there. We're small. Among the seven billion, there's lots of other Christians, Jews, Muslims and others who are doing great good, they have great influence and there's opportunity to partner with them in our communities to show the world at large the fruits of good faith. Now that considered, we have to remember something from Elder Orson F. Whitney...he said this 88 years ago, 

'God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.'

Of course we have a message that other people need to hear. We have a very special thing - the restored gospel, but we also need to remember that God expects us to learn from others as well. And we can't do that unless we're willing to open our hearts and our minds and our ears to those who think, and act, and believe differently than we do."

Here is an older video of Pastor Bruce sharing some of these experiences. 




In the book Visions of Glory - One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days, "Spencer" (a pseudo-name for the anonymous LDS man who shares his personal story) shares his account of translation;

"...I knew we were all experiencing the same thing. We were being empowered to complete our missions, but I believe only a small percentage of those assembled there experienced this additional change into the translated state...I believe that all of the Twelve were likewise changed, for they thereafter did marvelous things no unchanged mortal could have done...They simply came and went by the power of God. (pg. 149)"

"Here in our little part of Zion, our hearts were changing, our bodies were changing, and our spiritual IQ was changing. We still had a fulness of the priesthood, as we first discovered just before the first great conference, and were learning every day what that meant. It took us years to understand that we had to evolve into Zion, not just march to it. It was a process that involved stripping away everything belonging to the world and replacing it with total faith in God. We had to learn that we did not need anything from the telestial world. All we needed was complete faith in Christ. It was a hard transition to make, but it was one of the reasons our journey to Zion took so many years - not to cover the distance, but to evolve spiritually so that we would be worthy to be in Zion when we actually arrived there. (pg. 168)"

"Those of us who had experienced the actual physical change of translation were somewhat different than others. We had clearer views of things and greater spiritual gifts. Unless we were speaking to another translated soul, we kept our translated status and these greater views to ourselves, as the Spirit seemed to require.

We were learning that translated people didn't get tired like normal people. Everything took less effort and taxed us less. We recovered quickly and could work long and hard and then recover in a few minutes. We still ate and slept, but we talked amongst ourselves, wondering if eating and sleeping was even necessary. After a big day's work, I felt hungry and tired but much less than in my previous life. I chose to eat, but it was different. I needed less food, slept better and far shorter, and felt absolutely wonderful. I could awaken in a second, even after just a few minutes of sleep, and feel perfectly awake and ready to go forward. At the end of the day, I was no more fatigued than when I slept a full night. I found that injuries, cuts, and scratches healed in days instead of weeks. If I wished it away, and prayed to the Father, it would heal in a matter of minutes. I expected in time to be impervious to injury, but I wasn't at this time. 

I was physically stronger day by day. My mind grew clearer and much quicker. Things that would have taken me long study before now came to me in flashes of understanding. I grew in my ability to understand complex situations, and I could instantly come up with complex answers that were completely correct and inspired. My hearing was actually attuned to the word of the Lord. Revelation became constant and unending. I no longer experienced temptations of any kind. I no longer walked through mists of darkness. I didn't hold onto the Iron Rod because it became part of me, a part of my soul, what I was. 

My capacity to love was profoundly enhanced, which made meetings and partings even sweeter, and more difficult. If anything had the power to make a translated soul sorrow or feel pain, it was this infusion of charity, because my heart wanted everyone to be blessed, uplifted, and supplied with every need. This wasn't always possible, and people I loved sometimes chose to transgress, and this caused deep sorrow at times. 

Every new gift I had was focused upon our new mission. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost was an ever-present reality, and we knew the mind and will of the Lord. There was no guesswork and no more fear.

...Some of us had participated in the creation of worlds before we were born, and those divine sciences we understood then were slowly piercing the mortal veil, replacing mortal sciences. 

It was fascinating to watch our society leap forward, even while becoming simpler, less industrial, and non-commercial, with no consumer mindset. 

To my spiritual eyes, translated people just looked different. I could discern them far off. So when I had the chance to talk with another newly translated person, we occasionally took the time to discuss what this all meant, and what experiences and new priesthood gifts we had experienced.

...We also knew that even though the gift of translation had been fully given to us, that we still were in the process of becoming, of learning our duties and our abilities and when it was appropriate to use them. When I met an old translated being, there was a power and righteous serenity about them that I did not possess. Seeing and experiencing their highly developed state motivated me to yield to whatever process I needed to endure to become fully evolved in my new status. I knew I was changing. I also knew it was going to take years for the process to be fully implemented. 

There was a direct and constant influence of the Holy Ghost in the camps that could not be denied. It was a new phenomenon among the Saints that had begun that day of the great conference. Everyone was adjusting to this new level of spiritual power. There was a lot of conversation about whether this was the "millennial state" or if it was part of the process to the greater change of translation. (pg. 172-174)"

From Telestial to Terrestial

From Spencer's account we learn how and where we can gauge our own transition process from a telestial body to a terrestial body - should this be a gift that we ask for, or are given. 

Are we needing less sleep and feeling refreshed? Are we needing less food and feeling energized and well nourished? Are we letting go of the foolish traditions of Babylon? Have we been made aware of what they are? Are we losing the desire to be of the world? Has our taste in music and media changed to not only less of it, but only that which is wholesome and uplifting - evoking the Spirit within us? Has our love for our fellow man increased so much that we sorrow at the thought of their needs not being met? Do we see a change in our physical strength? Are our minds becoming more clear? Are we able to process things much quicker than before? Does it take us less time to learn more? Are we experiencing quick and miraculous healing? Have we experienced an increase in spiritual gifts? Have they been magnified? Have we lost the desire to sin and be tempted? Have we let go of addictions of any kind? Are we at one with God's will? Do we hear His voice? Do we feel purified and sanctified? 

What Does This Mean for You and Me?

I believe that the Lord wants us to know and understand our purpose in these last days. He has given us each specific missions to fulfill. Many are called but few are chosen. By pondering our Patriarchal blessings and going to the Lord in fasting and prayer, we can better understand how He would like to use us, what He has planned for us, and we can say 'Here am I Lord. Choose me' and 'What lack I yet?'. 

Are we all going to experience translation? No. Resurrection? Yes. Regardless, the Lord has asked us to covet the best gifts. If our desire is to truly build His Kingdom however He sees fit, then we can ask Him for anything if we feel it will serve that purpose, and we will receive.

This new era that we have entered into is unlike any before. If we haven't already, we are expected to become new creatures in Christ - to be born again of the Spirit and baptized by fire. We are to be changed! Accompanied with faith, our changes can bring about the greater manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Heavenly gift! We are invited to become partakers, and we should not take this invitation for granted. As we muster up our faith, hope, and charity, never letting go of our Savior's hand, He will lead us to new horizons that will exceed our greatest expectations! 

I testify of this in Jesus' name amen.