Chapter XII: Part 12

MUST BE LIKE GOD.--_April_ 10, 1842. Joseph Smith said, "If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing towards the devil. * * * A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.".

KEYS.--_May_ 1, 1842. "The KEYS are certain signs and words by which false spirits and personages may be detected from true, which cannot be revealed to the Elders till the Temple is completed. The rich can only get them in the Temple, the poor may get them on the mountain top as Moses did."

CHARITY.--"The rich cannot be saved without charity, giving to feed the poor when and how God requires."

SIGNS.--"There are signs in heaven, earth, and hell; the Elders must know them all, to be endowed with power, to finish their work and prevent imposition. The devil knows many signs, but does not know the sign of the Son of Man, or Jesus. No one can truly say he knows God until he has handled something, and this can only be in the Holiest of Holies."

A PROPHECY.--_August_ 6, 1842. "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains."

THE MILLENNIUM.--_December_ 30, 1842. "Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell on the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God, and must eventually be destroyed from the earth."

SIGN OF A DOVE.--_January_ 29, 1843. "The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the Devil cannot come in the sign of a dove."

COMING OF THE SON OF MAN.--_April_ 6, 1843. "Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the Temple, and water come out from under the Temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to build the walls of the city and the Temple, &c.; and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make his appearance. There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do? They will say it is a planet, a comet, &c. But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east."

SOME SEEK TO EXCEL.--_May_ 14, 1843. "In this world, mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious, and striving to excel above one another. * * So in the other world there is a variety of spirits. Some seek to excel. And this was the case with Lucifer when he fell. He sought for things which were unlawful. Hence he was cast down, and it is said he drew away many with him; and the greatness of his punishment is, that he shall not have a tabernacle. This is his punishment."

THE MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY.--"Now for the secret and grand key. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast."

HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.--_May_ 16, 1843. "Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent you from inheriting eternal glory, for you are sealed up by the power of the Priesthood unto eternal life, having taken the step necessary for the purpose. * * * The unpardonable sin is to shed innocent blood, or be accessory thereto. All other sins will be visited with judgment in the flesh, and the spirit being delivered to the buffetings of Satan until the day of the Lord Jesus."

THREE DEGREES IN CELESTIAL GLORY.--"In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the Priesthood; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom: he cannot have an increase."

SALVATION.--_May_ 17, 1843. "Salvation means a man's being placed beyond the power of all his enemies. The more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the holy Priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."

ETERNAL DURATION OF MATTER.--"Speaking of the eternal duration of matter, I said.--There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes. We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified, we shall see that it is all matter."

THE PUNISHMENT OF THE DEVIL.--_May_ 21, 1843. "The spirits in the eternal world are like the spirits in this world. When those spirits have come into this world and received tabernacles, then died, and again have risen and received glorified bodies, they will have an ascendancy over the spirits who have no bodies, or kept not their first estate, like the Devil. The punishment of the Devil was, that he should not have a habitation like men. The Devil's retaliation is, he comes into this world, binds up men's bodies, and occupies them himself. When the authorities come along, they eject him from a stolen habitation."

THE THREE KEYS.--"We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this end. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure.

"If this injunction would lie largely on those to whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation. First key: Knowledge is the power of salvation. Second key: Make your calling and election sure. Third key: It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice, &c., &c.; and another to hear the voice declare to you, you have a part and lot in that kingdom."

JOHN THE BAPTIST.--_May_ 24, 1843. "After naming his text, the Prophet remarked that some one had asked him the meaning of the expression of Jesus--'Among those born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John;' and said he had promised to answer it in public and he would do it then.

"It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed, for he did no miracles; but it was--First, because he was trusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission before or since? No man. Second, he was trusted and it was required at his hand to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, beholding the _Holy Ghost_ descend upon him in the sign of a dove? _No man_.

"Third, John at that time was the only legal administrator holding the keys of power there was on earth. The keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory had departed from the Jews; and John, the son of Zachariah, by the anointing and decree of heaven, held the keys of power at that time."

THE PRINCIPLE THAT CRUCIFIED JESUS CHRIST.--_June_ 11, 1843. "Many men will say, 'I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times.' But the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be the first to stone you and put you to death. It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, and will cause the people to kill the Prophets in this generation."

A FULNESS OF ORDINANCES NECESSARY.--"All men who become heirs of God and joint heirs of Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom; and those who will not receive all the ordinances will come short of the fulness of that glory, if they do not lose the whole."

THE WORLD OF SPIRITS.--"Hades, the Greek, or Shaole, the Hebrew: these two significations mean a world of spirits. Hades, Shaole, paradise, spirits in prison, are all one: it is a world of spirits.

"The righteous and the wicked all go to the same world of spirits until the resurrection. * * The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death, is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers."

THREE PERSONS IN HEAVEN HOLDING THE KEYS OF POWER.--"Any person that has seen the heavens opened knows that there are three personages in the heavens who hold the keys of power, and one presides over all. * * * As the Father hath power in himself, so hath the Son power in himself, to lay down his life and take it again, so he has a body of his own. The Son doeth what he hath seen the Father do: then the Father hath some day laid down his life and taken it again; so he has a body of his own; each one will be in his own body."

FORGIVE ALL MEN.--_July_ 9, 1843. "Joseph remarked that all was well between him and the heavens; that he had no enmity against anyone; and as the prayer of Jesus, or his pattern, so prayed Joseph--'Father, forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me,' for I freely forgive all men. If we would secure and cultivate the love of others, we must love others, even our enemies as well as friends."

NECESSITY OF BAPTISM.--The Gospel requires baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, which is the meaning of the word in the original language--namely, to bury or immerse. * * But I further believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. * * Might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half--that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

SEALING OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD.--_August_ 13, 1843. "Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother."

THE KING OF SALEM.--_August_ 18, 1843. "The King of Shiloam (Salem) had power and authority over that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life."

"THE SACRIFICE REQUIRED OF ABRAHAM in the offering up of Isaac shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life, he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned."

THE FULNESS OF THE MELCHISEDEK PRIESTHOOD.--"Those holding the fulness of the Melchisedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings! In fact, that Priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.

"Abram says to Melchisedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the Priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchisedek ordained Abram, and sent him away. Abram rejoiced, saying, Now I have a Priesthood. * * Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers. The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected, and made sure."

SPIRITS OF THE JUST.--_October_ 9, 1843. "Spirits can only be revealed in flaming fire or glory. Angels have advanced further, their light and glory being tabernacled; and hence they appear in bodily shape. The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down. * *

"The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and notions, and are often pained therewith.

"Flesh and blood cannot go there; but flesh and bones, quickened by the Spirit of God, can."

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.--_October_ 15, 1843. "It is one thing to see the Kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it. We must have a change of heart to see the Kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption to enter therein.

ADULTERY.--_November_ 25, 1843. "If a man commit adultery, he cannot receive the celestial kingdom of God. Even if he is saved in any kingdom, it cannot be the celestial kingdom."

SAVIORS ON MOUNT ZION.--_January_ 20, 1844. "The Bible says, 'I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.'

"Now, the word _turn_ here should be translated _bind_, or seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as Saviors on Mount Zion.

"But how are they to become Saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations, and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfils the mission of Elijah. * *

"The Saints have not too much time to save and redeem their dead, and gather together their living relatives, that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten, and the consumption decreed falls upon the world."

THE SPIRIT OF ELIAS.--_March_ 10, 1844. "The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world. * * * This is the Elias spoken of in the last days, and here is the rock upon which many split, thinking the time was past in the days of John and Christ, and no more to be. But the spirit of Elias was revealed to me, and I know it is true; therefore I speak with boldness, for I know verily my doctrine is true."

THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH.--"Now for Elijah. The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the keys of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers, and endowments of the fulness of the Melchisedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven. * * Now comes the point. What is this office and work of Elijah? It is one of the greatest and most important subjects that God has revealed. He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to the children. * * I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important; and if you will receive it, this is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah _to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven_. This is the power of Elijah and the keys of the kingdom of Jehovah. * * Then what you seal on earth, by the keys of Elijah, is sealed in heaven; and this is the power of Elijah, and this is the difference between the spirit and power of Elias and Elijah; for while the spirit of Elias is a forerunner, the power of Elijah is sufficient to make our calling and election sure. * * We cannot be perfect without the fathers, etc. We must have revelations from them, and we can see that the doctrine of REVELATION as far transcends the doctrine of NO REVELATION as knowledge is above ignorance; for one truth revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in existence.

"This spirit of Elijah was manifest in the days of the apostles, in delivering certain ones to the buffetings of Satan, that they might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. They were sealed by the spirit of Elijah unto the damnation of hell until the day of the Lord, or revelation of Jesus Christ. * *

"According to the Scriptures, if men have received the good word of God, and tasted of the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again, seeing they have crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame; so there is a possibility of falling away: you could not be renewed again, and the power of Elijah cannot seal against this sin, for this is a reserve made in the seals and power of the Priesthood. * *

"A murderer, for instance, one that sheds innocent blood, cannot have forgiveness. David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully, with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell. Although David was a king, he never did obtain the spirit and power of Elijah and the fulness of the Priesthood; and the Priesthood that he received, and the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.

"This is the case with murderers. They could not be baptized for the remission of sins, for they had shed innocent blood."

THE SPIRIT OF MESSIAH.--"The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the cap stone, placing the seals of the Melchisedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then _Messiah_ comes to his Temple, which is last of all. Messiah is above the spirit and power of Elijah, for he made the world, and was that spiritual rock unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah was to come and prepare the way and build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord, although the spirit of Elias might begin it."

ETERNAL LIFE.--_April_ 7, 1844. "Here, then, is eternal life--to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you,--namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power."

ALL REVELATIONS ARE SPIRITUAL.--"All things whatsoever God of his infinite wisdom has seen fit and proper to reveal to us, while we are dwelling in mortality, in regard to our mortal bodies, are revealed to us in the abstract and independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle, but are revealed to our spirits precisely as though we had no bodies at all; and those revelations which will save our spirits will save our bodies. God reveals them to us in view of no eternal dissolution of the body, or tabernacle. Hence the responsibility, the awful responsibility, that rests upon us, in relation to our dead; for all the spirits who have not obeyed the Gospel in the flesh must either obey it in the spirit or be damned. * * * The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. The Apostle says, 'They without us cannot be made perfect;' for it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead for the fulness of the dispensation of times--a dispensation to meet the promises made by Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world for the salvation of man."

SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST.--"All sins, and all blasphemies, and every transgression, except one, that man can be guilty of, may be forgiven; and there is a salvation for all men, either in this world or the world to come, who have not committed the unpardonable sin, there being a provision either in this world or the world of spirits. Hence God hath made a provision that every spirit in the eternal world can be ferreted out and saved, unless he has committed that unpardonable sin which cannot be remitted to him either in this world or the world of spirits. God has wrought out a salvation for all men, unless they have committed a certain sin; and every man who has a friend in the eternal world can save him, unless he has committed the unpardonable sin. And so you can see how you can be a savior."

THE CONTENTION IN HEAVEN.--"The contention in heaven was--Jesus said there would be certain souls that would not be saved; and the Devil said he could save them all, and laid his plans before the grand council, who gave their vote in favor of Jesus Christ. So the Devil rose up in rebellion against God, and was cast down, with all who put up their heads for him."

FOREORDINATION OF MAN.--_May_ 12, 1844. "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was."

GOD DWELLS IN ETERNAL FIRE.--"God Almighty himself dwells in eternal fire: flesh and blood cannot go there, for all corruption is devoured by the fire. Our God is a consuming fire. When our flesh is quickened by the Spirit, there will be no blood in this tabernacle. Some dwell in higher glory than others."

THE RESURRECTION.--"All men who are immortal dwell in everlasting burnings. You cannot go anywhere but where God can find you out. All men are born to die, and all men must rise; all must enter eternity.

"In order for you to receive your children to yourself, you must have a promise--some ordinance, some blessing, in order to ascend above principalities, or else it may be an angel. They must rise just as they died: we can there hail our lovely infants with the same glory--the same loveliness in the celestial glory, where they all enjoy alike. They differ in stature, in size: the same glorious spirit gives them the likeness of glory and bloom; the old man with his silvery hairs will glory in bloom and beauty. No man can describe it to you--no man can write it."

COUNCIL OF HIGH PRIESTS.--_February_ 12, 1834. The Prophet Joseph said: "No man is capable of judging a matter, in Council, unless his own heart is pure; and that we frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions, etc.

"But to return to the subject of order: In ancient days, Councils were conducted with strict propriety, that no one was allowed to whisper, be weary, leave the room, or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord, by revelation, or the voice of the Council by the Spirit was obtained, which has not been observed in this Church to the present.

"It was understood in ancient days, that if one man could stay in Council, another could; and if the President could spend his time, the members could also; but in our Councils, generally, one will be uneasy, another asleep; one praying, another not; one's mind on the business of the Council, and another thinking on something else, etc.

"Our acts are rendered, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we should fail to judge right and injure our fellow beings, they may be there, perhaps, condemn us; there they are of great consequence, and to me the consequence appears to be of force, beyond anything which I am able to express, etc. Ask yourselves, brethren, how much you have exercised yourselves in prayer since you heard of this Council; and if you are now prepared to sit in Council upon the soul of your brother."

THE HIGH COUNCIL.--_July_ 11, 1840. "The High Council met at my office, when I taught them principles relating to their duty as a Council, and that they might be guided by the same in future, I ordered it to be recorded as follows: 'That the Council should try no case without both parties being present, or having had an opportunity to be present, neither should they hear one party's complaint before his case is brought up for trial; neither should they suffer the character of any one to be exposed before the High Council without the person being present and ready to defend him or herself; that the minds of the Councilors be not prejudiced for or against any one whose case they may possibly have to act upon."

BY THE PROPHET JOSEPH, _January_ 5, 1841. "At the organization of a school of instruction. Description of Paul: He is about five feet high; very dark hair; dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face; small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembled the roaring of a lion. He was a good orator, active and diligent, always employing himself in doing good to his fellow man."

DIFFERENT DEGREES OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHISEDEK.--"Answer to the question, Was the Priesthood of Melchisedek taken away when Moses died? All Priesthood is Melchisedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the prophets had the Melchisedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself.

The world and earth are not synonymous terms. The world is the human family.--This earth was organized or formed out of other planets which were broken up and remodeled and made into the one on which we live.

The elements are eternal. That which has a beginning will surely have an end; take a ring, it is without beginning or end--cut it for a beginning place and at the same time you have an ending place.

A key: Every principle proceeding from God is eternal and any principle which is not eternal is of the devil. The sun has no beginning or end; the rays which proceed from himself have no bounds, consequently are eternal.

So it is with God. If the soul of man had a beginning it will surely have an end. In the translation 'without form and void' it should read, empty and desolate. The word created should be formed, or organized.'"

OBSERVATION ON THE SECTARIAN GOD.--"That which is without body, parts and passions is nothing. There is no other God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones. _John_, 5. 26, As the Father hath life in himself, even so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. God the Father took life unto himself precisely as Jesus did.

"The first step in the salvation of man is the laws of eternal and self-existent principles. Spirits are eternal. At the first organization in heaven we were all present, and saw the Savior chosen and appointed and the plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it.

We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists is having a body. The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when cast out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd of swine, showing that he would prefer a swine's body to having none.

All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power. This earth will be rolled back into the presence of God, and crowned with celestial glory."

THREE INDEPENDENT PRINCIPLES.--_May_ 16, 1841. "There are three independent principles; the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, and the spirit of the devil. All men have power to resist the devil.

"They who have tabernacles, have power over those who have not. The doctrine of eternal judgment; _Acts_ 2. 41. Peter preached, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, &c.; but in _Acts_ 3. 19 he says, Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of redemption shall come, and he shall send Jesus, &c.

"Remission of sins by baptism was not to be preached to murderers. All the priests of Christendom might pray for a murderer on the scaffold forever, but could not avail so much as a gnat towards their forgiveness. There is no forgiveness for murderers; they will have to wait until the times of redemption shall come, and that in hell. Peter had the keys of eternal judgment, and he saw David in hell, and knew for what reason, and that David would have to remain there until the resurrection at the coming of Christ. _Romans_ 9. All election that can be found in the scriptures is according to the flesh, and pertaining to the Priesthood.

THE THREE PERSONAGES.--Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth, and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth: these personages, according to Abraham's record, are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the witness or Testator."

LEHI'S TRAVELS.--_Revelation to Joseph the Seer_. The course that Lehi and his company traveled from Jerusalem to the place of their destination:

They traveled nearly a south, southeast direction until they came to the nineteenth degree of north latitude; then, nearly east to the Sea of Arabia, then sailed in a southeast direction, and landed on the continent of South America, in Chili, thirty degrees south latitude.

BOOK OF MORMON CHRONOLOGY.

The events marked are those about which the record does not appear sufficiently explicit to make the year certain. It is occasionally difficult to decide whether the circumstance narrated took place near the close of one year, or in the commencement of the next.

The four dates marked thus ** are based upon the supposition that Zeniff re-occupied the land of Nephi, B. C. 200. This may not be the exact year, but it is approximate.

The three dates marked thus * are based upon the idea that the "young man," Alma, was twenty-five years old when the prophet Abinadi was martyred.

The Book of Mormon appears to furnish no clue to the date of Lehi's colony landing in South America. It is supposed to have been about twelve years after its departure from Jerusalem.

B. C. signifies before the birth of Christ; A. C. after Christ; N. A. signifies "Nephite Annals" or years after the departure of Lehi from Jerusalem; Y. J., years of the Judges, or of the Republic.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Lehi and colony leave Jerusalem, and journey to the 600 1 valley of Lemuel, by the Red sea. The sons of Lehi return to Jerusalem and obtain the sacred records kept by Laban. Lehi and colony reach the land Bountiful, 592 9 where Nephi commences to build a ship. Mulek, son of King Zedekiah, with a colony leaves Jerusalem. Lehi and his colony reach South America. 590 11 A temple built, Jacob and Joseph consecrated 571 30 priests, &c. before. Wars and contentions, between Nephites and 561 40 Lamanites, during ten years previous to. Nephi transfers the records to Jacob. The book of 546 55 Jacob opens. Jacob, having committed the records into the hands of 421 180 his son Enos, the latter transfers them to his son Jarom. Many wars between the Nephites and Lamanites during the days of Enos. The Nephites have increased and scattered much over the land; they strictly observe the law of Moses and are prospered. The Lamanites, much more numerous than the 401 200 Nephites, often invade the Nephite lands. Jarom transfers the records to Omni. Many wars and 362 239 contentions during Jarom's days. Omni has frequent wars with the Lamanites. 324 277 Omni transfers the records to Ammaron. 318 283 The more wicked portion of the Nephites destroyed, 280 321 The righteous preserved. Ammaron transfers the records to Chemish. **About this date Zeniff leaves Zarahemla, with a 200 401 colony, to re-occupy the land of Nephi. He makes a treaty with King Laman, and obtains the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shemlon. **The Lamanites make war with the people of Zeniff, 183 418 but are repulsed with a loss of 3043 men. Alma, the elder, born in the land of Nephi. 173 428 **King Laman having died, his son attacks the people 161 440 of Zeniff, but is driven back. **Zeniff confers the kingdom on his son Noah. 160 441 Mosiah I, born in the land of Zarahemla. 154 447 *The prophet Abinadi appears in the land of Nephi, and 150 451 reproves Noah and his subjects for their iniquities. *Abinadi again appears, prophesies, and is martyred. 148 453 *Alma establishes a Christian Church at the waters 147 454 of Mormon, and afterwards, because of King Noah's persecutions, removes with his people to Helam.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. First Christian Church established in Zarahemla, by 125 476 King Benjamin, who, at the same time, consecrates his son Mosiah king. A company sent by Limhi, son of Noah, to find 123 478 Zarahemla, wander into the north country, and discover numerous relies of the Jaredites. King Benjamin dies. A company of men, under Ammon, 122 479 start from Zarahemla to find their brethren in the land of Nephi. They succeed, and help them to escape from the Lamanites, and bring them safely to Zarahemla. Moroni, commander in chief of the Nephite armies, 99 502 born. Alma, the elder, dies, aged eighty-two. King Mosiah I, dies, aged sixty-three. Alma, the younger, elected Chief Judge of the Republic. The sons of Mosiah, with other Elders, start on a mission to the Lamanites in the land of Nephi. Priestcraft first introduced among the Nephites, by Nehor. Nehor slays the aged patriarch, Gideon, is tried, condemned and executed. †King Lamoni and his household converted by Ammon. 91 510 1 Priestcraft spreads among the Nephites; pride and contention develop in the church. †A church established by Ammon amongst the 90 511 2 Lamanites, in the land of Ishmael. Continued peace amongst the Nephites, 89 512 3 notwithstanding persecutions and increased wickedness. Amlici, a disciple of Nehor, desires to be king and to destroy the true church; his pretentions are rejected at a special election, by “the voice of the people:” he raises a rebellion, and is consecrated king by his followers. Amlici's forces are defeated by the Nephites under Alma at the hill Amnihu. The Lamanites invade Zarahemla, are joined by the Amlicites, and the united armies are defeated by Alma, on the west bank of the Sidon. Another invading Lamanite army is defeated on the east bank of the Sidon, and driven back to their own lands. Peace restored. Aaron, and other missionaries, imprisoned by the 87 514 5 Lamanites in the land Middoni. The Nephites, because of their late afflictions, are humble, and many are baptized. †Ammon and Lamoni proceed to Middoni, to release Aaron and his brethren. They meet Lamoni's father on the way: he attempts to slay Ammon. †Antiomno, King of Middoni, releases the captive 86 515 6 missionaries. 3500 Nephites baptized into the church. Great peace and prosperity amongst them. †Lamoni's father, king of all the Lamanites, baptized.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. He issues a proclamation in favor of the Nephite 85 516 7 missionaries. Pride increasing in the Nephite church, causing 84 517 8 envyings, malice, strife and persecutions. Alma, on account of increasing iniquity, resigns the 83 518 9 Chief-Judgeship, and nominates Nephihah as his successor, who is accepted by the voice of the people. Alma devotes himself entirely to the work of the ministry. He sets in order the churches in Zarahemla and Gideon. Alma, as presiding High Priest, visits and ministers to the people in Melek and Ammonihah. Amulek visited by an angel; he receives Alma into his house. They preach to the people of Ammonihah; are imprisoned and abused. Zeezrom, the lawyer, converted, afterwards healed of a fever and baptized. Those who accept the Gospel are cast out of Ammonihah, whilst others, men, women and children, are martyred by fire. Alma and Amulek delivered, by the power of God, from prison. The prison is destroyed, and with it their persecutors. Massacre of 1005 believing Lamanites. 82 519 10 The Lamanites, as foretold by Alma, destroy Ammonihah, 81 520 11 with all its people, but are afterwards disastrously defeated by Zoram. The church greatly increases during this and two following 80 521 12 years. †Second massacre of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. 79 522 13 †The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi arrive in the land of 78 523 14 Zarahemla. The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi established in the land of Jershon. The Lamanites pursue the Ammonites; are defeated by 77 524 15 the Nephites with great slaughter. Korihor, the Anti-Christ, struck dumb, and afterwards killed in a city of the Zoramites. Alma, and others, proceed to Antionum and minister 75 526 17 amongst the Zoramite dissenters; the majority reject their words, and afterwards cast out their believing brethren. The latter flee to the land of Jershon, whilst the unrepentant ally themselves with the Lamanites and prepare for war. The Ammonites remove to Melek. The Zoramites become Lamanites; the united armies occupy Antionum and attempt to invade Manti. They are defeated by Moroni and Lehi near the hill Riplah. The Lamanites make a covenant of peace and return to their own lands. The record of Alma closes. 74 527 18 Alma transfers the records to his son Helaman, leaves Zarahemla, as if to go to Melek, and is never heard of more.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Dissensions arise in the church; the dissenters endeavor 73 528 19 to make Amalickiah king. Moroni rears “the title of liberty,” the people rally thereto, and Amalickiah retreats into the wilderness. The greater portion of his followers are slain; he escapes to the Lamanites, rises in power, poisons General Lehonti, kills the king, marries the queen, and is proclaimed king. Moroni fortifies the Nephite cities. The Lamanites invade Ammonihah and Noah; are repulsed with great loss and return to their own lands. Moroni commences his line of defense along the southern 72 529 20 line of the Nephite possessions. The Lamanites driven out of the East wilderness. The foundations laid of Moroni, Lehi, Nephihah, and other cities. Never was a happier time along the people of Nephi. 71 530 21 Contention between the people of the cities of Morianton and Lehi. The former flee northward; their flight arrested by Teancum, who defeats and slays their leader. The difficulty is settled, and both people return to their own possessions. Nephihah, the second Chief Judge dies; his son, Pahoran, 68 533 24 succeeds him. Great contentions between the “king men” and “free men.” The people decide in favor of the continuance of the Republic; upon which the Monarchists revolt. They refuse to take up arms against the invading Lamanites, but are defeated by Moroni, 4000 slain, the rest are cast into prison. Amalickiah captures the Nephite cities of Moroni, 67 534 25 Nephihah, Lehi, Gid, Morianton, Omner, Mulek, &c., on the Atlantic coast. He is defeated by Teancum. Teancum enters the Lamanite camp at night and slays Amalickiah. The Lamanites retreat into Mulek. Ammoron, brother of Amalickiah, succeeds him as king of the Lamanites, and takes command of their armies on the Pacific coast. Moroni pays a short visit to the Nephite forces in the southwest. Teancum fortifies the Land Bountiful and the Isthmus of Panama. The Ammonites desire to assist in the war, but because of 66 535 26 their oath are not permitted; but 2000 of their sons, under Helaman, join the Nephite armies in the southwest, where they find that the Lamanites have captured the cities of Manti, Zeezrom, Cumeni and Antiparah. Moroni gathers fresh troops and reinforces Teancum in Bountiful. The Nephite forces in the southwest finish fortifying the city of Judea. †Tremendous battle in the wilderness north of Judea; the 65 536 27 Lamanites defeated, but Antipus, the Nephite commander, is slain. Mulek re-captured by Moroni, Lehi and Teancum.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Jacob, the Lamanite General, killed. Lehi placed in command at Mulek. The Lamanite prisoners compelled to dig a ditch around and fortify the city Bountiful. The city of Antiparah vacated by the Lamanites and 64 537 28 re-occupied by the Nephites. Pachus revolts against the commonwealth, and endeavors to establish a monarchy. Moroni re-captures Gid, and releases large numbers of Nephite prisoners. Six thousand men, from Zarahemla, join the Nephite armies in the Southwest. The Lamanites surrender Cumeni. The Nephites drive the Lamanites eastward to the land of Manti. They are afterwards driven out of that region by Helaman. Helaman writes an epistle to Moroni, complaining of want 63 538 29 of reinforcements. Pachus drives the Chief Judge out of Zarahemla; he seeks safety in Gideon. Pachus opens a treasonable correspondence with the Lamanites. Moroni, having received Helaman's epistle, writes twice to Pahoran; on receiving the latters reply, he gathers up troops and goes to his aid. The united forces of Moroni and Pahoran defeat Pachus, who is slain, and the rebellion is put down. The Lamanite troops, driven out of the Southwest, capture 62 539 30 the city of Nephihah. Provisions and 6000 men sent to the relief of Helaman, the same to the commanders in the East. A battle fought on the road between Zarahemla and 61 540 31 Nephihah. 4000 Lamanite prisoners make a covenant of peace, and are sent to join the Ammonites. Nephihah surprised and captured by Moroni. Lehi and several other cities on the Atlantic coast re-captured by the Nephite generals. Teancum slays Ammoron in the city of Moroni, and is himself slain by Ammoron's servant. The city is captured by the Nephites, and the Lamanites are driven to their own lands. Moroni fortifies the southern boundaries of the Nephites, returns to Zarahemla, and transfers the command of the Nephite forces to his son Moronihah. Helaman and his fellow-laborers re-establish the Church: 60 541 32 great humility of its members. The Nephites begin to recover from the demoralization 59 542 33 and disorganization incident to the protracted war. Helaman dies. †Shiblon takes charge of the scared plates. 57 544 35 Moroni dies, aged 43. 56 545 36 5400 Nephites, with their families, leave Zarahemla to 55 546 37 colonize the north country. Hagoth establishes ship-building yards on the Pacific side of the Isthmus. Large migration northward. Two of Hagoth's ships never 54 547 38 again seen after leaving port.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Shiblon dies; the sacred records, &c., transferred to Helaman, the younger. Some Nephites dissent and go over to the Lamanites; the latter invade Zarahemla, but are driven out by Moronihah. Pahoran dies. The Book of Alma closes. 53 518 39 The Book of Helaman commences. Tubaloth king of the Lamanites. Three of Pahoran's sons contend for the judgment seat. The people choose Pahoran, the younger. His brother, Paanchi, rebels, for which he is tried, condemned and executed. One of his adherents, Kishkumen, assassinates Pahoran. Pacumeni chosen Chief Judge. The Gadianton robber bands organized. 52 549 40 The Lamanites, under Coriantumr, invade Zarahemla, 51 550 41 capture the city, slay Pacumeni, and advance northward. Afterwards the Nephite forces, under Moronihah and Lehi, destroy the invading army. Coriantumr slain. Helaman elected Chief Judge; Kishkumen attempts to 50 551 42 assassinate him, but is himself slain. Gadianton and his band retire into the wilderness. Much contention among the Nephites. Many emigrate 46 555 46 North, as far as the great lakes. Great contentions. Helaman fills the judgment seat with 45 556 47 justice and equity. The contentions measurably cease; the church is greatly prospered: tens of thousands baptized. The Gadianton robbers secretly increase in the more 43 558 49 thickly settled portions of the land. Pride increases; the more humble members of the church 41 560 51 persecuted. Helaman dies; his son Nephi succeeds him as Chief Judge. 39 562 53 Contentions and bloodshed among the Nephites; the 38 563 54 rebellious affiliate with the Lamanites. More dissenters go over to the Lamanites, who are all the 36 565 56 year preparing for war. The Lamanites invade Zarahemla; the Nephites, owing to 35 566 57 their dissensions and wickedness, are everywhere driven before them. The Lamanites overrun all the Nephite possessions as far 34 567 58 as the land Bountiful. The Nephites fortify the Isthmus. The Lamanites obtain possession of all South America. 32 569 60 Moronihah reconquers the most northern portions of South America. The Nephites regain about half their possessions, Zarahemla remaining in the hands of the Lamanites. Under the preaching of Nephi, and others, the Nephites 31 570 61 commence to repent. No more Nephite successes, on account of the lack of faith in the people. Nephi delivers up the judgment seat to Cezoram.

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Nephi and Lehi, having preached to the Nephites, go over to 30 571 62 the Lamanites in the land of Zarahemla. 8000 of that people are baptized. They then proceed to the land of Nephi, where they are imprisoned, but delivered by marvelous manifestations from heaven. The voice of the Lord is heard by those assembled at the prison, and they are surrounded by fire. The greater part of the Lamanites are converted, and they surrender to the Nephites all the lands they had taken from them. The Lamanites exceed the Nephites in righteousness, and 29 572 63 many of their missionaries preach in Zarahemla, and the land northward. Nephi and Lehi, also, go north. Universal peace prevails throughout all the continent, and both Nephites and Lamanites travel, unrestrictedly, in all parts. An era of great prosperity. Much preaching and prophecy 27 574 65 by the servants of God. Chief Judge, Cezoram, slain by a Gadianton robber; his son 26 575 66 and successor suffers the same fate. The Nephites again growing exceedingly wicked, the 25 576 67 greater part unite with the Gadianton robbers; they also worship idols of gold and silver. The Lamanites grow in righteousness, whilst the Nephites increase in iniquity. The Gadianton bands are utterly destroyed from amongst 24 577 68 the Lamanites, but are so greatly encouraged by the Nephites that they obtain sole management of the government. Chief Judge, Seezoram, assassinated by his brother, Seantum. Nephi, rejected by the people in the north, returns to 23 578 69 Zarahemla; he notifies the people of the murder of Seezoram, is arrested as an accessory, but afterwards released. The Lord makes a covenant with him, and directs him to continue his ministrations. Nephi, preserved by the miraculous power of God, 22 579 70 preaches from land to land. Division, even to bloodshed, prevails among the Nephites. 21 580 71 Contentions and wars throughout all the land. 20 581 72 The internal wars, originating with the Gadianton robbers, 19 582 73 still continue. To stay the bloodshed, Nephi prays for a famine: his prayer is answered. The famine continues and spreads. 18 583 74 The whole land, both amongst the Nephites and 17 584 75 Lamanites, smitten with the famine; thousands die of hunger and pestilence. The people, in their extremity, begin to repent; they exterminate the Gadianton bands. The Lord sends rain, and the earth brings forth abundantly. 16 585 76 Nephi is reverenced as a servant of God by all the people. The people rapidly increase; the major part of both 15 586 77 peoples belong to the church.