Patience in a Virtue!

Join me as I shed light on the intense spiritual warfare that preceded my last video message. Patience was learned on all levels. Also, an in depth conversation into the books/scripture that President Nelson counseled the sisters to read. Just what treasures are buried in there?

Angel Caught on Camera!

This is why I bless my home every night! 

            

We Wrestle Not With Flesh and Blood...

 This might be the longest one yet! I had a lot of challenges in getting it published. My laptop just wouldn't allow the video to upload to YouTube. It's quite a bit, but hope there's something that speaks to you all. ❤️

             

Goodbye Lies - Transformation Begins!

Hooray!! Thank you everyone for your prayers. ❤️ At times it almost seemed impossible that the glitches with this video would go away. I woke up this morning and everything was fixed! Here is this week's video message - it comes with an awesome surprise I am excited to share. Has taken a lot of hours to put together. Now my kids can have their mom back. 😄

In this video I share a tool I created for incredible transformation and healing. Plus, I talk updates on what's happening in the news and what it all means! 

Casting Out Negative Energies

I've had many ask for a more legible copy of the script, I shared in last week's video message. This is the basis of the script given to me by LDS author Karol Truman four years ago, with some extra additions.

An Incredible Story That No One is Talking About!

In a recent video message I had referenced the incredible story of Drew Graham, an LDS man who testifies that he was healed of homosexuality. He is now happily married to a beautiful woman who is the love of his life and he is also a proud father. I had attended a presentation by his parents Stephen and Janice Graham at the Book of Mormon conference back in April, and at the time I wasn't sure why I felt prompted to attend their presentation among all the other speakers and topics competing for that same hour. However, since sharing their very unique story on my YouTube channel, I now know why I was prompted to attend. The many messages and emails that have since poured in, are an amazing witness that this story needs to be told.

My decision to share began with this response I offered on facebook to a woman in a private facebook group who was struggling with she and her husband's differing views and opinions in relation to teaching their children about homosexuality. She had a liberal approach and he was very conservative. She felt their differences were tearing apart their marriage. I offered the following response:

"I don’t have advice nor do I want to share an opinion. But I do feel prompted to share this experience:

I was awakened very early this morning and prompted to get on Facebook. I was so tired that I fought it for 15 minutes. Finally I got up and went onto Facebook. The very first post in my feed was this post. I felt I needed to share a recent experience I had but again I fought it. I then flipped open my scriptures and they landed on page 185 in D&C. The very first verse I read was D&C 95:1. What a powerful confirmation! I knew then that I needed to share. So, here goes:

I attended a conference last weekend in which I heard a presentation given by the parents of an LDS man who was gay for about 18 years and is now straight and has a wife and children. His story is very unique as you seldom hear this perspective and therefore his stance is very unpopular, but he’s okay with that. This man named Drew Graham, wrote a book and speaks on this topic. His stance and his parent’s stance on the issue are so different from what the Church teaches and from what society teaches that they feel ostracized by both. 

He was raised by parents who both have views like your husband and his mother is from San Francisco and was raised in a very liberal environment. 

He says he was born a very sensitive and feminine boy, who played with dolls and loved the arts and that part of him has never changed. His parents were loving and supportive but also taught him that lust was a sin (Matt 5:28), sexual impurity was a sin, and the gay lifestyle was against God’s will for His children. 

Because of his feminine nature and character, he was teased often by masculine boys who told him he was gay. After hearing this his whole life he believed it must be true and accepted it, even at an age when he was too young to be interested in sexuality. This led him to question his masculinity which led him to look at images of masculine men online to see what society deemed a “real man” should look like. This led to looking at male porn which he justified as okay since he was a man himself and had the same body parts. This led to a porn addiction that lasted for several years. 

While attending BYU he was preyed upon by gay temple endowed LDS men who had wives and children and hid their sexual infidelity. They preyed upon him in chat rooms and met him at locations to carry out their desires. Truthfully he was abused, but he allowed it. He said because he was young, curious, and exploring, he was extremely vulnerable and bombarded by gay men who were turned on by his vulnerability. He said that during the entire 18 years of struggle with this, he felt this world and lifestyle and everyone in it was fueled by sex addiction, abuse, lies, and darkness. Even after coming out of the closet and turning down his mission call he never felt pure love or light. He felt deep down that this was not what God wanted for him. He felt God wanted him to live a life that was clean, pure, true, and in which he could enter all of Gods highest covenants and receive those ordinances and blessings. God wanted him to have a healthy sexual relationship and not remain celibate his entire life. God wanted him to have posterity. God wanted him to experience the fullness of joy. He didn’t feel right about engaging in the gay lifestyle (what society teaches and pushes) and he also didn’t feel right about remaining abstinent the rest of his life (what the church teaches, if you’re gay just don’t ever act on it and you’ll be fine). He felt there should be another approach. He wanted to marry and have his own children. And he wanted all the blessings of the temple. He realized that he wanted to be delivered from a lifestyle that he felt was not what God wanted for Him. He felt that for him, being gay resulted from lies that were fed to him from society through the internet and social media coupled with a porn addiction that in return fed the lies. He felt that during these 18 years of being gay, he never was truly happy, he always felt impure and never experienced true love. 

He realized one day that the Savior could save him from a lifestyle and desire he longer wanted. He had never thought to call upon his Savior before to be delivered from this attraction, desire, addiction, and lifestyle because this teaching is offensive to many, its seldom taught. He had always heard and been taught to call on the Savior to be able to endure it (be gay but never act on it) but not be completely delivered from it. So he called upon Jesus Christ like he never had before, and over a period of time he was what he called “healed”. 

He served a mission later in life and was glad to have not used a mission to hide, distract from, or “take care” of the issue. He was glad he took care of it before choosing a mission. He actually became attracted to women and after his mission married a beautiful wife in the temple and now has children. He said he never knew he could be this happy and have a healthy sexual life that fills him with such joy and light! He never knew he could be so in love with someone as he really had never felt true love before. Being “healed” didn’t turn him more masculine, but he felt that society’s idea of what a “real man” should be is false. He never knew that he could be sensitive, love art, and still be attracted to and in love with a woman. He had been taught by society that because of who and how he was, he should be attracted to men. He felt pushed in that direction. In the end he learned it was not what he really wanted but he never knew that until he called upon the Savior. 

As you can see his stance and belief is in contrast with what society teaches and what the church teaches which is why no bookstores will carry his book, and no one will allow him to speak. He is very unpopular for his beliefs and story but he is so happy that he doesn’t care if sharing it will help someone else find the same happiness that he has. 

Looking back he says he wished his parents would have been even more vocal about expressing their views. He wished they would have interfered more. He feels that parents who massage the issue to be in line with society, do more damage. He believes it is a black and white issue as well as a spiritual warfare issue. 

I saw his YouTube video testimony at the conference but have not been able to find it myself on YouTube. YouTube has made it nearly impossible to find the video without a direct link. I was able to find it another way, here it is. His testimony begins at 10:24 into the video. I also included a link to an interview with his parents."

The first few comments that came in were very positive and filled with gratitude and thanks for sharing this man's story. Then shortly later, a couple of negative comments came through; LDS women who felt that by me sharing this man's story, I was doing more harm than good for people in the gay community. Their fear filled worries and words, were a plea for me to never share this information again. It was very upsetting to them. Here was my response;

"They were told by Sheri Dew at Deseret Book that the reason Deseret Book was cancelling their book deal was because it was decided that their book goes against the approach that the church teaches and encourages (The Church teaches that same-sex attraction is fine as long as you don't ever act on it. The Graham's encourage complete healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ, so that one can marry, have a family, make all the covenants in the temple, and experience joy! This is seen as politically incorrect as it suggests that being gay is something to be healed of.)

His story is unique but it might resonate with someone out there who is on the same page or feels very similar. I feel as we overcome challenges, God uses us as instruments to share hope. We shouldn't be afraid to share our experiences, miracles, and blessings, but trust those promptings as the Lord leads us to share. I know his story has helped so many and he has felt guided to share it only when asked. I just know I was prompted to share. ❤️"

Here are three videos that share unique perspectives and approaches that you won't hear very often. Since sharing this, many have come forward in anonymous emails letting me know that this approach worked for them and their loved ones as well.

The first video features Drew sharing his story at 10:20 into the video. The entire video is worth watching as it shares many other unique stories and perspectives on the same topic. The second video features his parents sharing their perspective at the same conference (at 16:28). The third video is an up-close and personal interview with his parents. I felt the importance of sharing their story here on my blog. I hope that their message resonates with someone out there, and is a blessing!


A Parent’s Story: Steve & Janice Graham from PFOX on Vimeo.

More Prophecy Fulfilled? And How to Heal a Wounded Heart

Is it possible that more prophecy has been fulfilled than we realize? Plus more on dreams, spiritual warfare, and an easy yet powerful exercise for healing a wounded heart.

 

Christian Persecution on the Rise in China?

My sister sent me this video today and when I watched it I was reminded of the following scriptures:

Matthew 5:10

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 13:21

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Doctrine & Covenants 121:16-19, 23-24

16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.

17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.

18 And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—

19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.

23 Wo unto all those that discomfort my people, and drive, and murder, and testify against them, saith the Lord of Hosts; a generation of vipers shall not escape the damnation of hell.

24 Behold, mine eyes see and know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift judgment in the season thereof, for them all;

3 Nephi 12:10

 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 24:9-10

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

The Lord foresaw this time we are living in and spoke about it all throughout the scriptures. Leaders of the LDS Church have made much progress in China and have worked hard to build good relations - that can give us hope. It is estimated that over 60 million Chinese citizens are Christians. Though there are many restrictions at least people can purchase a physical copy of the Bible. I also maintain hope when I'm reminded of this post where I shared some positive insight about this issue from a mission president. Here is a link to the status of the Church and China. http://www.mormonsandchina.org/

Spiritual Warfare - My Response to A Mother's Plea

A few months ago I shared in a video a response I gave to a mother's plea for advice. She had messaged me and expressed her sorrow and frustration towards her teenage son who was making choices that she was not pleased with and worried that his behaviors would rub off onto her younger children. She was angry, tired, exhausted and feeling hopeless. She didn't know how she could love him and put her foot down at the same time. After sharing her feelings with me, I wrote back a response and shared it in a video. Many were touched by the response and I've since had several requests for a transcript copy. I thought I would share it here on the blog so all can reference it anytime:

"Hi, you are so welcome! I'm so happy to hear that you are liking the videos and information that I have shared. Praising can be a difficult thing to do for issues that press so heavy on the heart. It's hard to watch loved ones - especially children go down difficult paths. 

I would suggest praising God for what this experience is currently teaching you and what it will continue to teach you. That you are learning unconditional love on a level you never anticipated. That you are starting to have an understanding for what it was must feel like for our Father in Heaven to watch so many of his children (not just one child) struggle and separate themselves from His love. That you are so grateful for His unconditional love for all of His children and that you are so grateful that you can experience what that is like as a parent. That you are learning trust in the Lord in all things. That you are truly believing that and grateful that God has your son and your entire family in the palm of His hands. Praise Him for the blessings that will come from this experience. The blessings that you may not even be aware of yet.

Praise Him that you know that He takes what the adversary uses to pull you down or your son down, for your greatest blessings, and you know that some of your greatest blessings and son's greatest blessings will one day come from this experience. Praise Him that someday your son will be able to empathize and help others who find themselves on this same path - because he will know what that feels like. He will have the much needed perspective to be in a position to help without judgment. Praise Him for the opportunities He offers to put names in the temple, and to send angels for support and protection, and for opportunities for prayer and fasting. Opportunities for miracles. Praise Him that because of this experience you are growing even closer to the Lord and feeling such a need for His guidance and support more than you ever have before and because of that you feel so blessed and grateful to learn to rely on Him. Praise Him for the gift of agency and that you are so grateful your son is allowed his agency and that he is using it to learn the bad so that he can one day cleave to the good. He is learning the bitter so that he can one day appreciate the sweet. 

After all the praising I would do an intercessory prayer and imagine yourself standing before the counsels of Heaven pleading on behalf of your son. His spirit will very much appreciate this even though his natural man would not. In prayer plead you case before the Father and request divine intervention. State your case. Speak of your son how you truly know him when he is not under a dark influence. Refuse to see him any other way. Choose to see him in a state of wholeness always. That is who he truly is. State this in your case, and bring up all the good and wonderful things he has done and his best qualities. Speak this before the courts of Heaven and pray for mercy and grace to be upon your son. As the adversary works to accuse and prosecute, you can counteract his words when you speak truth about your son and who he truly he is, and what his destiny truly is. Tell the counsels you are ready for this trial to have closure. As his mother you have stewardship to plead on his behalf, since he is not in a state to do so for himself. I would also suggest increasing your fasting. Fast one day each week, or try a 3 day fast each month in which you Fast 24 hours and break it with a meal (dinner) and then fast another 24 hours and again break it with dinner and then one more day. There is greater power in 3 days - in which I am learning. Do this, and send love to your son all throughout the day. Send love his heart, send loving thoughts to his mind, and speak to his spirit. Even though it may seem like it's not getting through on the outside, it will strengthen his spirit on the inside. 

I would also be very specific and detailed in spiritual warfare prayer. Pray for the armies of Heaven to come down and cast out the enemy in every form around your son. Remove the enemy's weapons. Destroy every effort against your son, shred very blue print and plan that the enemy has for your son, tear down all strong holds, expose his plans, tactics, and lies, locate where his armies are encamped and scatter them, cast them out and bind them in a place prepared just for them. Bind them in cords of light permanently until the Lord sees fit fir their release according to His will. Send the hosts of Heaven to cause chaos and confusion in the devil's kingdom. Break it up. Pray for angels to locate any and all portals of darkness that have been opened up in your son's life, and close them and seal them up permanently, that they may have no more access. Pray for angels to open up portals of Heaven in their place, that Heaven may have access and freely flow into his life. Pray for angels and/or the Savior to break His chains. Crush every link. After praying this ask for cleaning angels to come dust away and clean up all residues of darkness left behind. Polish his spaces and places with the light and love of the Savior. 

Pray for a shield of light (a Heavenly bubble) to be placed around him with a 5 mile radius, that no darkness may penetrate it. Then pray that while he is in this protection that he remember the truth of who he really is, so he can break free. Pray that he will have a divine encounter with the Spirit, and with Heaven. That he can step forward into his destiny and into his truth as a righteous son in God's Kingdom. Pray this every morning before the day begins and every night before you go to bed. Their is so much power in a righteous mother's prayer. More power than we can even comprehend. Next to the Savior, you are the most powerful person in His life right now. 

As you do this each day, and increase your fasting - Heaven will respond to your request and you will see big changes begin to happen. They may seem small at first, but over time Satan will grow weary of this. It will wear the devil out and begin to terrify him,  and he will decide to move on to someone else. Praise the Lord that He is working on your behalf each day to bring about break through and healing in your son's life. Praise Him for all the things going on in favor of your son that you cannot see because of the veil. All of the unseen miracles and interventions. Believe that your son is an amazing and honorable child of God, who has a very important role in God's Kingdom - otherwise the adversary would not work so hard to keep him from that. Believe that he will fulfill that role, and that he is counting on you to never give up on him. 

The anger and negativity comes from feeling separated from the love of God. It truly is a spiritual death. He just wants to feel that love and security, but isn't sure how to do it. Spiritually he feels like he is suffocating. Whoever has light and God's love - he will try to suck it from them since he is not getting it from the direct source. This is why power struggles and abuse happen. Shield yourself and your other children, and do your best to guide him back to the source - the Lord. Pray for angels to help guide him back. 

I know if you do this, you will be triumphant in your efforts! Spiritual warfare is real, and we have to remember that the Savior already won the victory on that third day, and because of that the adversary has no power over us. He wants us to forget that, and believe that things are hopeless. But when we remember it, and live as though we believe it, it truly terrifies him. I know that was a much longer answer than you probably expected, but you've got this! Keep your chin high and your eye on the Lord. Always look to Him. Keep His picture in every room of your home. Take that dominion over your home, it terrifies Satan and his minions. They cannot stand His image or presence. I'll keep you in my prayers."

Spiritual Warfare - Do You Have a Breach in Your Shield?

As we build Zion, opposition will increase. Just what tactics is the enemy using in his hour of desperation? I shed light on some sneaky yet common ways that the adversary is creating breaches in our shields. And how can we quickly combat his efforts? Watch to find out.

   

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