Contents:

           The Prophet Joseph Smith     -     Binding--or Sealing--Fathers and Children

            President John Taylor   -   The Organization of the Priesthood and the Blessings of Abraham

                                                    The Work Continues on Both Sides of the Veil
 

            The Difference Between the Keys Restored by Elias and Elijah

The Prophet Joseph Smith
Binding--or Sealing--Fathers and Children
Teachings,  p. 330,   January 20, 1844
 

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? ... 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 fulfills the mission of Elijah. ...

The question is frequently asked, "Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances?" I would answer, No, not the fulness of salvation. Jesus said, "There are many mansions in my Father's house, and I will go and prepare a place for you." "House" here named should have been translated "kingdom;" and any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a celestial law, and the whole law too.

President John Taylor
The Organization of the Priesthood and the Blessings of Abraham
Journal of Discourses, vol. 25, p. 180 - May 18, 1884
 

That was the promise made to Abraham some 3,500 years ago. It was not a promise made to Abraham alone, but through him to others.  He and his seed were to be the instrumentality, the media through which mankind should be blessed; they were to be the special instruments in the hands of God for the accomplishment of these purposes.

Hence the Priesthood began to be organized--the Bishopric and all pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood including Priests, Teachers and Deacons; and associated with the Melchizedek Priesthood, the First Presidency, the Twelve, the High Council, High Priests, Seventies and Elders, and all those occupying their own particular place ...

Why? Because ... Things as they existed in the heavens again began to be introduced upon the earth. Hence, that His servants might be properly instructed and comprehend correctly the great principles which He designed to unfold to the human family, He sent those several messengers holding those various keys that they might unlock the doors and place His servants in communication with the heavenly Priesthood in the eternal worlds.

What does this mean? It means that there was a great and comprehensive plan designed by the Almighty in his economy connected with the salvation of the human family who are His children ... It means that He is interested in their welfare, in their prosperity, in their happiness, and in all that pertains to their exaltation in time and throughout the eternities that are to come.

Being thus interested, and so little of the Gospel having been revealed in the different ages, and so much of the power of darkness and iniquity having prevailed among men, it was necessary that something should be done for the dead as well as the living.

God is interested in the dead as well as the living. Adam, who is the Ancient of Days and the father of the human family ... and all the prominent leading men of God ... and thousands of these peoples have passed away having held and now holding the Priesthood; all these ancient fathers feel interested in this great work, and their hearts are turned toward the children, being interested in their welfare, happiness and exaltation; and their children who now have received the Gospel have their hearts, through this instrumentality, and the keys and principles which were introduced by Elijah, turned towards the fathers through the inspiration of the same ... everlasting Gospel, being associated with the everlasting covenant, which principle wherever it has existed, brought life and immortality to light.

The Difference Between the Keys Restored by Elias and Elijah (D&C 110)

        Elias Restored the Gospel (i.e. "Good Tidings") of Abraham:

• The blessing of becoming a great nation
• The right to bless one's posterity
• The right to bear this ministry and priesthood unto all nations
• The right to bless all the families of the earth with:
• The blessings of salvation, even life eternal
• The right to perpetuate (i.e. maintain or claim) these rights from generation to generation (Abraham 2:9-11)

• The power and authority by which the administration of any of the blessings of the Gospel of Abraham made by a righteous mortal priesthood holder--which administration is made by means of ordinances and covenants--would be recognized (or validated) in eternity.

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For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Martins at: MartinsM@byuh.edu