are conferred by the laying on of hands. The first ordination to the
Priesthood, in this dispensation, was under the hands of John the
Baptist; _Doc. & Cov., sec_. 13. The angel, John the Baptist, commanded
Joseph Smith and O. Cowdery to baptize each other. The prophet says:
"Accordingly we went and were baptized, I baptized him first, and
afterwards he baptized me, after which I laid my hands upon his head
and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, afterwards he laid his
hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood--for so were we
commanded;" _His. of J. Smith, May_ 15, 1829.
The same order as was observed in the ordination to the Aaronic
Priesthood, was also observed by Joseph Smith and O. Cowdery in their
ordination to the Melchisedek Priesthood; _Doc. & Cov_. 20. 3, 4,
_sec_. 21. 10-12.
FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
The laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost,
characterized the primitive Gospel dispensation, as recorded in the New
Testament. Peter and John laid their hands on the people of Samaria,
who had been baptized, and they received the Holy Ghost; _Acts_ 8. 17.
Ananias laid hands on Saul, by special commandment, before he was
baptized, that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy
Ghost; 9. 17.
Paul found some people at Ephesus, that claimed to be disciples of
John the Baptist, who had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. When he
had baptized them, "and when he had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied;" 19.
2-6.
The laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost
characterized both the Mosaic and Gospel dispensations among the
Nephites. "Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words,
that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold,
as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy
Spirit;" _Alma_ 31. 36. We are informed that the Nephites, at this
time, were very strict in observing the ordinances of God according to
the law of Moses; 30. 3.
When our Savior organized the Council of Twelve Apostles among the
Nephites, he touched them with his hand and gave them power to give
the Holy Ghost. "And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end
of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had
chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto
them as he touched them; and the multitude heard not the words which
he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bear
record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost;" 3 _Nephi_ 18.
36, 37.
The Apostles of this dispensation are especially instructed to lay
hands on those who have been baptized into the church, "For the baptism
of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures;" _Doc. & Cov_.
20. 41.
When the few who had received the Gospel first met to organize the
church, the prophet Joseph laid his hands on O. Cowdery and ordained
him an elder in the church, after which O. Cowdery ordained the prophet
Joseph to the same office. They then administered the sacrament to the
Saints. Afterwards they laid their hands "on each individual member of
the church present, that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,
and be confirmed members of the Church of Christ;" _His. of J. Smith,
April_ 6, 1830. This was the first time in this dispensation that hands
were publicly laid on for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost, and for
confirmation.
FOR HEALING THE SICK.
Jesus Christ has left us his example for laying hands on the sick, that
they might be healed. He touched the hand of Peter's wife's mother, and
the fever left her; _Matt_. 8. 15. "He laid his hands upon a few sick
folk, and healed them;" _Mark_ 6. 5.
About the close of his earthly mission, Jesus said to his disciples,
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature;"
and promised them that if they would lay hands on the sick, they should
recover; 16. 15, 18.
"By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among
the people;" _Acts_ 5. 12.
The Lord, through his prophet, Joseph, has commanded his people to
administer to the sick by the laying on of hands. "And whosoever among
you are sick, and have not faith to be healed, but believe, shall be
nursed with all tenderness, with herbs and mild food, and that not by
the hand of an enemy. And the elders of the church, two or more, shall
be called, and shall pray for and lay their hands upon them in my name;
and if they die they shall die unto me, and if they live they shall
live unto me;" _Doc. & Cov_., 42. 43, 44.
The ordinance of laying on of hands for the bestowal of authority,
power and blessing has characterized all the dispensations of the holy
Priesthood. But it does not necessarily follow that the Creator may not
bestow these favors in other ways.
Before the flood, the Lord said to Enoch, "Anoint thine eyes with clay,
and wash them, and thou shalt see;" and the spiritual creations were
opened to his vision; _P. of G. P., p_. 15.
Naaman, the Syrian, was cleansed of his leprosy by washing seven times
in Jordan; 2 _Kings_ 5. 10-14.
The blind man, after Jesus had anointed his eyes with clay, received
his sight by washing them in the pool of Siloam; _John_ 9. 7. Contrary
to the usual custom, Ananias laid hands on Saul, before he was
baptized, that he might be filled with the Holy Ghost; _Acts_ 9. 17.
Bible.
_Num_. 27. 18 take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, and lay thine hand upon
him.
2 _Kings_ 5. 11 I thought he would strike his hand over the place.
_Mark_ 7. 33 put his finger into his ears, and touched his tongue.
8. 23 he took the blind man and put his hands on him. 25.
_Acts_ 4. 30 stretching forth thy hand to heal, that signs and wonders
be done.
14. 3 granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 20. 58 teachers and deacons have no authority to lay on hands.
25. 8 by his hands you shall receive the Holy Ghost.
33. 15 by the laying on of hands I will bestow the Holy Ghost.
36. 2 will lay my hands upon you, by the hand of my servant.
39. 23 by your hands they shall receive the Holy Ghost, and know me.
42. 43, 44 the elders shall lay hands on the sick.
49. 14 receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. _Sec_. 52. 10.
_Sec_. 53. 3. _Sec_. 55. 1.
66. 9 lay your hands upon the sick and they shall recover.
68. 25 children should be taught baptism, and the Gift of the Holy
Ghost by laying on hands.
27 and their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins
when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.
_See Mil. Star, Vol. 3, page 59_.
_History of J. Smith, March 20, 1842_.
THE RESURRECTION.
What little knowledge we have of this doctrine we have received from
Jesus Christ, the author of it, and from those whom he has sent to
teach mankind. From these we learn that a resurrection has occurred,
and that there will be others at different periods of time, as well as
under different circumstances.
The resurrection is predicated on the death or dissolution of the
earth, and all organizations pertaining to it. As the fall of Adam
brought death or dissolution, so the death and resurrection of Christ
will bring to pass a restoration to life, of all creatures that have
been affected by the fall.
AT CHRIST'S RESURRECTION.
That Christ well understood the great object of his earthly mission,
is evident from many of his sayings previous to his death and
resurrection. Early in his ministry he said to Nicodemus, "As Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
eternal life;" _John_ 3. 14, 15.
On another occasion Jesus said to Martha the sister of Lazarus, "I am
the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live;" _John_ 11. 25. At another time, in talking
with the Pharisees, he said, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because
I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from
me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and to
take it up again;" _John_ 10. 17, 18.
We are informed that one resurrection has already taken place, and that
it occurred at the resurrection of our Savior. "And the graves were
opened; and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and came out
of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and
appeared unto many;" _Matt_. 27. 52, 53.
The following indicates that the prophet Isaiah had a prophetic glimpse
of this resurrection; "Thy dead _men_ shall live, _together_ with my
dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for
thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead;"
_Isa_. 26. 19.
It would appear that the Psalmist, David, looked forward for redemption
from the dead, at the resurrection of Christ. "My flesh also shall rest
in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption;" _Psalm_ 16. 9, 10.
The Book of Mormon is much more definite and comprehensive on this
subject than the Bible. "And there cometh a resurrection, even a first
resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and
who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ: for
so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets,
and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that
have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first
resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection * * * And
these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are
they that have died before Christ came in their ignorance, not having
salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the
restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection,
or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children
also have eternal life;" _Mos_. 15. 21-25.
This declaration of the prophet-king, Mosiah, was made about 100 B. C.
Alma, who lived and prophesied a few years later, says, "And behold,
again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection; a
resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be,
down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead;" _Alma_ 40. 16.
From these passages quoted from the Book of Mormon, and their
contexts, it is evident that the Nephite Saints looked forward to the
resurrection of Christ from the dead, for their deliverance from the
grave, with the same assurance that the Latter-day Saints anticipate
their resurrection at his second coming.
By way of explanation, the prophet Alma adds, "The resurrection meaneth
the re-uniting of the soul with the body of those from the days of
Adam, down to the resurrection of Christ;" 40. 18, 19.
The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, speaking of the resurrection of Christ,
says, "And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of
their dead; and many Saints shall appear unto many;" _Hel_. 14. 25.
During Christ's ministry among the Nephites, his disciples testified
that this prophecy was fulfilled; 3 _Nephi_ 23. 10.
Bible.
_Job_ 19. 25 for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth.
_Matt_. 17. 9 until the Son of Man be risen from the dead. _Mark_ 9.9.
27. 64 and the people say he is risen from the dead.
28. 6 he is not here, for he is risen as he said. _Mark_ 16. 6, 9, 14.
_Luke_ 24. 34 the Lord is risen, indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
_John_ 2. 19-21 destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it
up.
5. 25 the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God.
26 the Father gave to the Son to have life in himself.
8. 28 when ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I
am he.
12. 32 if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me.
_Acts_ 1. 22 must one be ordained to be a witness of his resurrection.
2. 31 David spake of the resurrection of Christ. 32.
26. 23 that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.
_Rom_. 8. 34 is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God.
14. 9 died and rose that he might be Lord of the dead and living.
_Col 1_. 18 who is the beginning, the first born from the dead.
_Rev_. 1. 18 I am he that liveth and was dead.
Book of Mormon.
2 _Nephi_ 2. 8, 9 he layeth down his life and taketh it again, that he
may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead. _Mos_. 13. 35.
_Mos_. 16. 9 he is a life that is endless, that there can be no more
death. 10.
3 _Nephi_ 6. 20 testifying of the death of Christ and of his
resurrection, in all the land.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 18. 12 he hath risen from the dead, that he might bring all men
to him.
Pearl of Great Price.
_Page_ 21. the Saints arose at the resurrection of Christ. The spirits
that were in prison came forth.
AT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
Those who have lived and died since the resurrection of Christ, in the
hope of a resurrection from the dead, are looking forward to the time
of his coming, in the latter days, for their redemption from the grave.
"Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive _and_ remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord
in the air;" 1 _Thess_. 4. 14-17.
Christ said to his Nephite disciples who were to remain until his
coming, "When I shall come in my glory, ye shall be changed in the
twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality;" 3 _Nephi_ 28. 8.
The Lord said to Joseph Smith, the Seer, "Behold, I will come; and they
shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great
glory, with all the holy angels; and he that watches not for me shall
be cut off; * * and the Saints that have slept shall come forth to meet
me in the cloud;" _Doc. & Cov_., 45. 44, 45.
We have seen by previous reference to the Book of Mormon, that the
heathen nations, and those who knew no law, should be resurrected when
Christ arose from the dead. The Lord revealed to Joseph, the Seer, that
this should also take place when he comes in his glory. "And then shall
the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have
part in the first resurrection;" _verse_ 54.
The Lord gave Joseph, the Seer, a further description of this glorious
event. "And immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded,
as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord
shall be unveiled; and the Saints that are upon the earth, who are
alive, shall be quickened, and be caught up to meet him. And they who
have slept in their graves shall come forth; for their graves shall be
opened, and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of
the pillar of heaven: They are Christ's, the first fruits: they who
shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in
their graves, who are first caught up to meet him;" 88. 95-98.
Then comes the redemption of those who have received their part in
that prison that is prepared for them; _verse_ 99. "Then cometh the
spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation;
and these are the rest of the dead, and they live not again until the
thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth;"
_verses_ 100 and 101. These appear to be the only ones of the family of
man whose bodies remain in their graves until the last resurrection.
Bible.
_Dan_. 12. 2 many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake.
_Luke_ 14. 14 for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the
just.
_Rev_. 11. 18 the time of the dead, that they should be judged.
20. 5, 6 blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 29. 13 the dead who have died in Christ shall come forth.
63. 18 they shall not have part in the first resurrection. 49, 51.
76. 50-70 concerning those who shall come forth in the resurrection of
the just.
71-80 concerning those of the terrestrial world who shall rise in the
first resurrection.
88. 100 then cometh the spirits of men who are still under condemnation.
RESURRECTION AT THE END OF THE WORLD.
John, the Revelator, has left us a short description of this
resurrection, and of the judgment connected with it. "And I saw the
dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is _the book of life_: and the dead were
judged out of those things which were written in the books, according
to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and
death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were
judged every man according to their works;" _Rev_. 20. 12, 13.
At that time, the earth, having filled the measure of its creation, in
this order of things, will undergo a change that will fit it for the
residence of exalted, celestial beings; "And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;"
21. 1.
The Book of Mormon, also gives some account of this final resurrection;
"And they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand
before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from the eternal band of
death;" _Mormon_ 9. 13.
The Jaredite prophet, Ether, who lived on the American continent 600
years before the Savior was born, predicted this great change in the
earth; "And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall
be like unto the old, save the old have passed away, and all things
shall become new;" _Ether_ 13. 9.
Joseph, the Seer of the present dispensation, has given us a more
comprehensive view of this subject than has come down from other
dispensations; "And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth
shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and
a new earth, for all old things shall pass away, and all things shall
become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof,
both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea;
and not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost;" _Doc. & Cov_., 29.
23-25.
Both the wicked and the righteous will be resurrected; _verses_ 26, 27.
That the final change in the earth will be equivalent to a resurrection
is evident from the following: "Wherefore it shall be sanctified; yea,
notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall
abide the power by which it is quickened;" 88. 26.
Bible.
_Matt_. 25. 32 all nations to be gathered before the Son of Man.
_Rev_. 20. 15 those not found written in the book of life, were cast
into the lake of fire.
8 the wicked had their part in the lake of fire.
22. 11 he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. 12.
15. without are dogs, sorcerers and whoremongers.
Book of Mormon.
3 _Nephi_ 26. 4 when all people and nations shall stand before God.
_Mormon_ 9. 2 when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, when
ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God.
13 when all, both small and great, shall be loosed from the bands of
death.
_Ether_ 4. 19 he that is faithful at the last day shall be lifted up.
5. 6 when we shall stand before God at the last day.
Doctrine & Covenants.
_Sec_. 76. 39 for all the rest shall be brought forth by the
resurrection of the dead.
81-89 concerning those of the telestial world who will come forth in
the last resurrection.
RESURRECTION OF THE BODY THAT IS LAID DOWN.
When Job said, "Though after my skin _worms_ destroy this body, yet in
my flesh shall I see God;" 19. 26; it is evident that he believed that
though his body should be disorganized, yet, in his own flesh, and not
in that of another, he should see God. As if to confirm his assertion,
he further adds, "Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall
behold, and not another;" _verse_ 27.
A literal resurrection was manifested to Ezekiel in his vision of the
resurrection of the house of Israel; 37. 1-14.
When Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, and said, "This
is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead;" _Matt_. 14. 1, 2; he
probably, in common with the Jews, believed in a literal resurrection.
Jesus said to his disciples, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I
myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as
ye see me have;" _Luke_ 24. 39; _John_ 20. 27; _Acts_ 10. 41. "He that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies;"
_Rom_. 8. 11. That is, their bodies that died, and not some other
bodies.
The apostle Paul gives us some light on this subject: "But some _man_
will say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?
_Thou_ fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die; *
* thou sowest not that body that shall be. * * But God giveth it a body
as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is
not the same flesh: but _there is one kind of_ flesh of men, another
flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds;" 1 _Cor_. 15.
35-39.
The apostle evidently considers the old body the germ of a new body,
which will be like the old, but a new growth, even as new grain is
produced from that which is sown.
It is also evident that the apostle considered it impossible for one
kind of flesh to mingle with another in the resurrection, as they
widely differ, from different combinations of the elements, in their
organization. As well might we expect the different grades of spiritual
organizations, to intermingle, as the different kinds of flesh of which
their material bodies are composed.
The following is from the _Times and Seasons, vol. 5, page_ 617:
"Mothers, you shall have your children, for they shall have eternal
life: for their debt is paid, there is no damnation awaits them, for
they are in the spirit. As the child dies, so shall it rise from the
dead and be forever living in the learning of God; it shall be the
child, the same as it was before it died out of your arms. Children
dwell and exercise power in the same from as they laid them down."
In the _History of Joseph Smith_, under date of April 7, 1843, we find
the following very pointed assertion on this subject: "There is no
fundamental principle belonging to a human system that ever goes into
another in this world or in the world to come: I care not what the
theories of men are. We have the testimony that God will raise us up,
and he has the power to do it. If any supposes that any part of our
bodies, that is the fundamental parts thereof, ever goes into another
body, he is mistaken."
_See a Sermon by J. Smith, Jun., Times and Seasons, Vol, 5, page 612_.
_Also a Pamphlet published the same year in which the above Discourse
was delivered_.
Book of Mormon.
2 _Nephi_ 9. 4 must waste away, but in our bodies we shall see God.
6 as death has passed on all men, there must be a power of resurrection.
8. 9 if the flesh should rise no more, our spirits must become subject
to the devil.
12 the bodies and spirits of men will be restored, the one to the other.
_Alma_ 11. 43-45 the spirit and the body shall be reunited in perfect
form.
40. 23 not a hair of the head shall be lost.
_Mormon_ 6. 21 day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality.
Miscellaneous Passages.
_Matt_. 22. 28 therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be.
_Luke_ 20. 33.
31, 32 God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
_Mark_ 12. 25 rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in
marriage.
_Luke_ 20. 36 are the children of God, being the children of the
resurrection.
_John_ 5. 21 the Father raiseth up the dead; the Son quickeneth whom he
will.
28 all that are in their graves shall hear his voice.
11. 24 I know he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25, 26.
_Acts_ 4. 2 and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
10, 33.
24. 15 a resurrection of both the just and unjust.
26. 8 thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the
dead.
_Rom_. 4. 17 even God who quickeneth the dead.
6. 5 we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
1 _Cor_. 3. 22 life or death, things present or to come, all are yours.
15. 40-44 bodies are raised in different degrees of glory, according to
their order.
45 first man, Adam, was made a living soul, the last a quickening
spirit.
_Col_. 3. 1 ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above.
2 _Tim_. 1. 10 who hath brought life and immortality to light through
the Gospel.
_Heb_. 6. 2 of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
11. 35 not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better
resurrection.
1 _Peter_ 1. 3 hath begotten us again unto a lively hope of the
resurrection.
_Rev_. 1. 5 first begotten of the dead, and king of the princes of the
earth.