habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto
the judgment of the great day;" _Jude_ 6. That is, those angels who,
voluntarily, by their own acts, forfeited the glory prepared for them.
The Lord revealed to Joseph, the Seer, that the only ones who should
not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord are those who "Having
denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the
Only Begotten Son of the Father--having crucified him unto themselves,
and put him to an open shame." _Doc. & Cov_. 76. 31-43. We learn from
the Book of Mormon also "The way is prepared for all men from the
foundation of the world, if so be that they repent and come unto him."
1 _Nephi_ 10. 18.
Bible.
_Exo_. 33. 19 I will shew mercy on whom I will.
_Num_. 16. 7 the man whom the Lord shall choose shall be holy.
_Deut_. 7. 6 the Lord hath chosen thee to be a special people. 14. 2.
18. 5 the Lord hath chosen him out of all thy tribes. 21. 5.
2 _Sam_. 6. 21 it was before the Lord which chose me before thy father.
16. 18 whom the Lord and the men of Israel chose.
_Neh_. 9. 7 thou art the Lord who did'st choose Abram.
_Psalm_ 33. 12 the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
89. 3 have made a covenant with my chosen; sworn to David my servant.
105. 6 ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
26.
_Isa_. 14. 1 Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel.
41. 8 Jacob whom I have chosen; the seed of Abraham my friend. 9.
42. 1 my servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth.
_Matt_. 12. 18 behold my servant whom I have chosen.
20. 16 and the first last, for many be called but few chosen. 22. 14.
_Luke_ 18. 7 shall not God avenge his own elect?
_John_ 15. 16 ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. 19.
_Acts_ 1. 24 shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.
9. 15 for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name.
22. 14 the God of our fathers hath chosen thee.
_Rom_. 9. 11-22 Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. 23, 24, 26.
11. 7 but the election hath obtained it.
28 but as touching the election they are beloved.
1 _Cor_. 1. 24, 27 God hath chosen the foolish things of the world.
_Eph_. 1. 4-11. 18 predestination and adoption set forth.
_Col_. 3. 12 put on therefore as the elect of God.
2 _Thess_. 2. 13, 14 because God, from the beginning, hath chosen you
to salvation.
_Titus_ 1. 1 an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's
elect.
_James_ 2. 5 hath not God chosen the poor of this world?
1 _Peter_ 1. 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God.
_Rev_. 17. 14 those that are with him are called and chosen.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 1. 20 over all whom he has chosen because of their their
faith.
3. 29 know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him?
17. 40 he loved our fathers and covenanted with them.
2 _Nephi_ 9. 18 shall inherit the kingdom of God prepared for them.
_Alma_ 13. 10, 11 were called after his holy order on account of their
faith.
_Moroni_ 7. 31 by declaring the word of God unto chosen vessels. 48.
8. 12 little children are alive in Christ from the foundation of the
world.
22 they that are without law are alive in Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 10. 59-62 other sheep I have which are not of this fold.
25. 3 Emma Smith an elect lady.
29. 4 ye are chosen out of the world. 7.
46 little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world. 74. 7.
33. 6 so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth.
52. 1 the elders whom the Lord hath chosen. 21.
53. 1 concerning your calling and election.
84. 34 become the seed of Abraham and the elect of God. 99.
86. 9-11 for ye are lawful heirs according to the flesh.
88. 4 this comforter is the promise of eternal life.
93. 38 every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning.
95. 5. 6 those not chosen have sinned. 8.
101. 3 they shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewels.
Pearl of Great Price.
_Page_ 26. Abraham became a rightful heir.
27. the Lord took Abraham and put upon him his name.
39. if possible they shall deceive the very elect according to the
covenant.
40. shall gather the remainder of mine elect. When mine elect shall see
these things.
_See Article by B. Young and W. Richards, Mil. Star, Vol. 38, page 145_.
_History of J. Smith, Jan., 1, 1841_.
_Sermon by B. Young, J. of D., Vol. 10, page 1_.
_Article by J. Nicholson, Mil. Star, Vol. 27, Page 739_.
DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES.
A dispensation "is power and authority to dispense the word of God, and
to administer in all the ordinances thereof." What the dispensation
of the fulness of times is, is well expressed by the apostle Paul
in _Eph_. 1. 9, "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that
in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in
one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
earth, even in him."
It is still more comprehensively expressed by the prophet Joseph. "Now
the thing to be known is, what the fulness of times means, or the
extent and authority thereof. It means this, that the dispensation of
the fulness of times is made up of all the dispensations that ever have
been given since the world began, until this time. Unto Adam first was
given a dispensation. It is well known that God spake to him with his
own voice in the garden, and gave him the promise of the Messiah."
"And unto Noah also was a dispensation given; for Jesus said, 'As it
was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the coming
of the Son of Man;' and as the righteous were saved then, and the
wicked destroyed, so will it be now. And from Noah to Abraham, and from
Abraham to Moses, and from Moses to Elias, and from Elias to John the
Baptist, and from then to Jesus Christ, and from Jesus Christ to Peter,
James, and John, the Apostles all having received in their dispensation
by revelation from God, to accomplish the great scheme of restitution,
spoken by all the holy Prophets since the world began; the end of which
is, the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which all things shall
be fulfilled that have been spoken of since the earth was made." _Mil.
Star, vol_. 16, _page_ 220. The apostle Paul further says on this
subject, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in
part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come
in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall
come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob;" _Rom_. 11. 25, 26.
These passages make it evident, in connection with other passages, that
the dispensation of the fulness of times will commence when the fulness
of the Gentiles shall come in, for then will a Deliverer come out of
Zion who shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
This dispensation of the fulness of times is a period in which all
things will be restored to their proper order or condition.
The apostle Peter had a very comprehensive view of this subject when he
severely reproved the Jews for killing the "Prince of Life," and said
to them, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence
of the Lord."
This was evidently to take place when Israel should be gathered and
the Gospel restored, in its fulness: "And he shall send Jesus Christ,
which before was preached unto you: whom the heavens must receive until
the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began;" _Acts_ 3. 19,
21. Peter gave them to understand that not until then could those who
killed the "Prince of Life" expect to be restored to the privileges of
the Gospel which was preached to them while in the flesh.
In this time of restitution everything in heaven and in earth will find
its appropriate place and condition, and good and evil will find their
fulness of reward.
The Book of Mormon is very plain on this subject: "The meaning of
the word restoration, is to bring back again evil for evil, or
carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish; good for that which is
good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is
just; merciful for that which is merciful. * * * Deal justly, judge
righteously, and if ye do all these things, then shall ye receive your
reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall
have justice restored to you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment
restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you
again; for that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and
be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the
sinner, and justifieth him not at all;" _Alma_ 41. 13-15.
This principle of restitution has also been further revealed in this
dispensation: "Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto
every man according to his works, and measure to every man according
to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man;" _Doc. & Cov_.
1. 10. The following passage warns us that the time is near when the
evil and the good will each find their own place: "The hour is not yet,
but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the
devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also the Lord shall
have power over his Saints, and shall reign in their midst;" 35, 36.
All the intelligences, of whatever order, pertaining to this earth,
will be redeemed from death through the resurrection, except the
sons of perdition. The great burden of the ancient prophets was the
restoration, in the latter times, of the house of Israel to the lands
of their inheritance, and to the favor of God. On the other hand, those
who have oppressed and persecuted them must suffer the full reward of
their evil works.
This world, in its present condition, is one of antagonisms. When all
things are restored to their proper place, these antagonisms will
cease, and the good and the evil will be placed in positions where they
will harmonize with their surroundings.
The term, "Dispensation of the fulness of times," refers to the latter
days, when the fulness of the Gospel will be revealed, and the holy
Priesthood be restored to the earth. Under its direction the work of
restoration will commence and be fully consummated, through the great
plan of redemption for man and the earth, which was decided in the
councils of heaven before the foundations of the earth were laid.
Bible.
_Isa_. 11. 6, 7 animals shall dwell together in peace.
9 the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God.
13. 13, 14 the earth will be moved out of its place.
32. 15 until the Spirit be poured out upon us from on high.
16 then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness.
17, 18 and the work of righteousness shall be peace.
35. 1 the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad.
7 and the parched ground shall become a pool.
9 no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast.
51. 6 the earth shall wax old like a garment.
60. 20 the Lord shall be their everlasting light. 21.
62. 4 thy land shall be married.
65. 17-25 a description of the millennial condition of the earth.
_Mic_. 4, 4 they shall sit, every man under his own fig tree.
_Hab_. 2. 14 the earth will be filled with a knowledge of the glory of
the Lord.
_Zech_. 14. 4 and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof.
_Matt_. 17. 11 Elias truly shall first come and restore all things.
_Rom_. 11. 25 until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
2 _Peter_ 3. 11, 12 all these things shall be dissolved.
_Rev_. 6. 13, 14 the stars of heaven will fall, and the heavens be
rolled together.
21. 1 and I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
Book of Mormon.
2 _Nephi_ 30. 17, 18, works of darkness to be made manifest; that which
is sealed to be loosed; all things which have been revealed to be again
revealed.
_Hel_. 14. 31 good restored to good and evil to evil.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 1. 22 that mine everlasting covenant might be established
38 all the word of the Lord to be fulfilled.
_Sec_. 2. Elijah, the prophet, to reveal the Priesthood.
3. 18-20 the records of the children of Lehi to be restored to them.
_Sec_. 13. John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood.
14. 10 the fulness of the Gospel to be brought forth from the Gentiles
to the house of Israel.
22. 1 everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning,
restored.
3 caused this church to be built up as in days of old.
27. 5 the fulness of the everlasting Gospel--the Book of Mormon.
12 Peter, James and John ordained J. Smith, Jun., to hold the keys of
the dispensation of the Gospel, for the last time.
38. 7 the Lord gave J. Smith, Jun., the keys of the mysteries of the
things which have been sealed.
86. 10 until the restoration of all things spoken by all the holy
prophets.
90. 2 which kingdom is coming forth for the last time.
_Sec_. 110. Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared in the Kirtland temple,
and bestowed keys of former dispensations.
112. 30 power of the Priesthood given, for the dispensation of the
fulness of times.
121. 26-32 things to be revealed by the Holy Ghost that have not been
revealed--all things to be revealed.
128. 8 in the last dispensation, all dispensations will be welded
together.
20 declaring themselves as possessing the keys of the dispensation of
the fulness of times.
_See Sermon by P. P. Pratt, J. of D. Vol. 3, page 127_.
" " _E. Snow, " " 16, " 200_.
_History of J. Smith, May 2, 1842_.
_Epistle by D. W. Patten, History of J. Smith, July, 1838_.
_Latter-day Kingdom, a pamphlet by O. Pratt_.
_Article, Mil. Star, Vol. 21, pages 17, 35_.
_O. Spencer's Letters to Rev. Wm. Crowel, Nos. 12, 13_.
_Voice of Warning, by P. P. Pratt, Chap. 5_.
_Pearl of Great Price, pages 21, 22_.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD, OR HOLY GHOST.
Whenever the Priesthood has been on the earth, through it, and in
various ways, the Lord has revealed his will to man. By his voice:
"They heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden;" _Gen_. 3.
8. The Lord talked with Abraham; _chap_. 18. And with Moses; _Exo_. 3.
He called to young Samuel; 1 _Sam_. 3.
Passages are numerous in the inspired writings in which it says "The
Lord hath spoken;" "The Lord spake;" "Thus saith the Lord;" etc. He has
often revealed his will through the ministrations of angels, by visions
and dreams, by signs and tokens; but the more general way has been
through the agency of his Spirit, or the Holy Ghost.
The Prophet Joseph Smith has informed us that "The Holy Ghost has not a
body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit." _Doc. & Cov_.
130, 22, 23.
Its office is to enlighten the understanding and give knowledge and
wisdom; _Exo_. 31. 1-11. 1 _Chron_. 28. 12. "But the Comforter, _which_
is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you;" _John_ 14. 26.
It is the Spirit of prophecy, and reveals future events, "For the
prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake _as they were_ moved by the Holy Ghost;" 2 _Pet_. 1. 21.
It is a witness and testifies to man, of God and his attributes. "Even
so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God:" 1 _Cor_.
2. 11. "We are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost;" _Acts_ 5. 32. _Chap_. 20. 23. "No man can say that Jesus is the
Lord, but by the Holy Ghost;" 1 _Cor_. 12. 3. It gives the knowledge
that is essential to salvation. "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth." _John_ 16. 13.
Nephite prophets declared, that, after Christ should be slain, "He
should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the
Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles;" 1 _Nephi_ 10. 11. 3 _Nephi_ 15. 23.
"The mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the
Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in
times of old as in times to come;" 1 _Nephi_ 10. 19.
The Holy Ghost bears record of the Father and of the Son; 3 _Nephi_ 11.
32. The Holy Ghost and Spirit of God are synonymous. The gifts of the
Spirit mentioned in 1 _Cor_. _chap_. 12, are often mentioned in the
inspired writings as gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The Comforter, and the Spirit of Truth are also synonymous with the
Holy Ghost. "But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost;" _John_ 14. 26.
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, _even_ the Spirit of Truth;" _John_ 15. 26.
The Holy Ghost is the moving power in the salvation of the human
family, for faith is one of its gifts; 1 _Cor_. 12. 9. And all
intelligences work by faith. _Doc. & Cov_., _Lec. on Faith_; 1. 11.
The Spirit of God is not only the medium by which knowledge is
communicated to man, but it is the power by which all organizations are
developed, and by which they exist and move. It is the agent of God's
power by which, through faith, the elements are controlled. "And the
Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters;" _Gen_. 1. 2. "By his
Spirit he hath garnished the heavens;" _Job_ 26. 13. "The Spirit of
God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life;"
33. 4. "If he gather unto himself his Spirit and his breath; all flesh
shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust;" 34. 14, 15.
"Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created;" _Psalm_ 104. 30.
"For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both
spiritual and temporal;" _Doc. & Cov_., 29. 31. "The power of my Spirit
quickeneth all things;" 33. 16.
By it the Lord works his will among the nations: "I have called upon
the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to
thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;" 35. 13. "The elements
are the tabernacle of God;" 93. 35. Through the power of the Spirit
which pervades them, they are organized and disorganized in accordance
with the laws by which they are governed. Spirit and element must be
inseparably connected, through the resurrection, in order to attain the
greatest perfection; _verses_ 33, 34.
Man, ignorant of God and his attributes, increases in knowledge by
experience and observation, explores the fields of nature, watches
and experiments with the elements, acquires, to him, new and grand
truths, makes discoveries in science which measurably revolutionize
the conditions of human life, and thinks, in his ignorance of the
spiritual elements, that he accomplishes these important results by
his own unaided wisdom, when they are the effects of the workings of
that universal spirit of intelligence which emanates from the Father of
light, without which man would be like the blind, who wander about at
noonday, unconscious of the light that shines around them.
Man observes a universal energy in nature. Organization and
disorganization succeed each other. The thunders roll through the
heavens; the earth trembles and becomes broken by earthquakes;
fires consume cities and forests; the waters accumulate, flow over
their usual bounds and cause destruction of life and property; the
worlds perform their revolutions in space with a velocity and power
incomprehensible to man, and he, covered with a veil of darkness, calls
this universal energy, God, when it is the workings of his Spirit,
the obedient agent of his power, the wonder-working and life-giving
principle in all nature.
Bible.
_Gen_. 6. 3 my Spirit shall not always strive with man.
_Num_. 11. 17 I will take of the Spirit that is on thee, and put it on
them,
26 The Spirit rested on Eldad and Medad, and they prophesied.
24. 2 and the Spirit of the Lord rested on Balaam.
1 _Sam_. 10. 10 the Spirit of God came on Saul and he prophesied.
2 _Kings_ 2. 9 let a double portion of thy spirit be on me.
15 the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha. 16.
_Neh_. 9. 20 thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them.
30 God for many years testified against Israel by his Spirit.
_Job_ 32. 8 there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the
Almighty giveth them understanding.
_Prov_. 1. 23 behold I will pour out my Spirit on you.
_Isa_. 29. 10 the Lord hath poured upon you the Spirit of deep sleep.
42. 1 I have put my Spirit on him, he shall bring forth judgment.
44. 3 will pour my Spirit on thy seed, my blessing on thine offspring.
48. 16 the Lord God and his Spirit hath sent me.
61. 1 the Spirit of the Lord God is on me. _Luke_ 4. 18.
_Ezek_. 11. 24 brought me in a vision, by the Spirit of God, into
Chaldea.
_Dan_. 4. 8 in whom is the Spirit of the holy Gods.
_Joel_ 2. 29 upon the servants and handmaids, in those days, will I
pour out my Spirit. _Acts_ 2. 17, 18.
_Matt_. 3. 16 he saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove.
4. 1 Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness. _Luke_ 4. 1.
12. 28 if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God?
_Luke_ 1. 17 he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias.
2. 25-27 Simeon came by the Spirit into the temple.
4. 14 Jesus returned in power of the Spirit into Galilee.
11. 13 your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.
_John_ 3. 34 God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
6. 63 it is the Spirit that quickeneth.
16. 13 the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.
_Acts_ 2. 4 began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.
8. 29 the Spirit said to Philip, go near and join thyself to this
chariot.
39 the Spirit caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more.
10. 19 the Spirit said to Peter, three men seek thee.
_Rom_. 8. 10 but the Spirit is life, because of righteousness.
11 if the Spirit which raised up Jesus shall also quicken your mortal
bodies.
26 the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us.
1 _Cor_. 2. 4 in demonstration of the Spirit and power.
10 the Spirit of God searcheth all things.
15. 45 the first Adam was a living soul, the last Adam a quickening
spirit.
2 _Cor_. 3. 6 the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.
17 where the Spirit of God is there is liberty.
18 changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
_Gal_. 5. 16 walk in the Spirit; ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the
flesh.
_Eph_. 2. 2 the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
6. 17 take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18.
1 _Thess_. 5. 19. 20 quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings.
2 _Thess_. 2. 8 the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth.
1 _Tim_. 3. 16 God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit.
_Rev_. 1. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day.
2. 7 hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. 11. 17, 29.
11. 11 After three days, the Spirit of life, from God, entered into
them.
14. 13 blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit.
17. 3 so he carried me away in the Spirit, into the wilderness.
19. 10 for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 1. 12 as he read he was filled with the Spirit.
4. 6 was led by the Spirit, not knowing the things I should do.
18 I obeyed the voice of the Spirit, and smote off the head of Laban.
11. 1 caught away in the Spirit, into an exceeding high mountain.
6 when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice.
8 the Spirit said to me, look; I looked and beheld a tree.
11 I knew it was the Spirit of the Lord, and he spake unto me as a man
speaketh with another.
19 I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit.
13. 12 the Spirit of God wrought on the man, and he went forth on the
waters.
15 the Spirit of the Lord was on the Gentiles, that they prospered.
14. 30 an end of speaking what I saw, when carried away in the Spirit.
17. 52 lest they wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit.
19. 12 kings of the isles shall be wrought upon by the Spirit.
20 I have workings in the Spirit, for those at Jerusalem.
2 _Nephi_ 2. 4 for the Spirit is the same yesterday, to-day and forever.
8 who layeth down his life and taketh it, by the power of the Spirit.
3. 5 Messiah to be manifest in the latter days, in the Spirit of power.
4. 25 on the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away.
26. 11 the Spirit of God will not always strive with man.
32. 7 I cannot say more, the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance.
_Jacob_ 4. 13 for the Spirit speaketh the truth, and lieth not.
_Enos_ 1. 10 while struggling in the Spirit, the voice of the Lord came.
_Mos_. 2. 36 that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord.
3. 19 but if he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.