I don't recall what year the World's Fair was in New York City but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produced a movie for the fair called "Man's Search for Happiness." When I was on my mission we often showed it to people we taught. There is a line from the movie that is indelibly etched in my mind and relates to studying the scriptures. It is: "Only if you are unafraid of truth can you find it." This is a phrase I have taken to heart as I have studied the scriptures.
The reason this phrase is important is because you will find as you study inconsistencies between how we view ourselves and how the Prophets in the scriptures view us. Nephi taught his family and us that we should liken the scriptures unto ourselves. (1 Nephi 19:23-24, 2 Nephi 11:2,8) In other words, read the scriptures as if they were speaking directly to us instead of people in the past.
An example of this would be to read Isaiah 28:1, a chapter Isaiah dedicated to Ephraim and ask yourself why Isaiah refers to Ephraim as "the crown of pride," "drunkards," "whose glorious beauty is a fading flower." Now compare Isaiah's description with Ephraim to your understanding of modern Ephraim. There is a very good chance the prevailing opinion of modern Church members is significantly different from Isaiah's description. How do you reconcile the difference? Who has the better view, the person standing in the midst of the forest or the man who stands at the top of a mountain overlooking the forest?
If you persist in studying the scriptures and liken them unto yourself there will be many times what you think you know conflicts with what the scriptures say. I have made it a rule to side with the scriptures, even when it leads to a painful admission that exposes weakness. The first step in healing is to overcome denial of the truth for, "Only if you are unafraid of truth can you find it. Now, on to the first technique of study, identifying templates or the Lord's pattern for bringing about spiritual growth in all mankind.
What follows is an article I have written on the subject. It is six pages long so I will post it in installments. Today will be installment #1.
Gospel Templates: Building a Framework for Studying the Scriptures
Turning Information into a Framework of Understanding
Manufacturing businesses design templates for products they build. Once the template is finished it becomes the pattern or model for building a specific product. The scriptures contain Gospel templates just as products do. Identifying Gospel templates can provide the framework for understanding what the Lord is trying to communicate to us in written word. In other words, Gospel templates impose order where a sense of chaos is assumed.
A Template from the Prophet Joseph Smith
Several days ago a post addressed the subject of a second Elias who arrives in the last days. The discussion of Elias in the previous article did not address Joseph Smith’s inclusion of the doctrine of Elias as part of a template on March 10, 1844.[i] Joseph Fielding Smith titled Joseph Smith's discourse: “Elias, Elijah, Messiah.” Each name in the template represents historical figures, future types and Priesthood functions. Elias was a real person whose life is a type or example for all who perform his Priesthood function in the future. Little is known about the man Elias, but we can learn about the Priesthood office of Elias by studying those we know performed the Elias function like John the Baptist. This article will not involve a detailed discussion of each individual but will demonstrate a Priesthood pattern/template in everything our Heavenly Father does for the salvation of man.
The Spirit of Elias
Joseph Smith said, “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 capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple which is last of all.”[ii]
Elias can be confusing because the Greek form Elias is Elijah; creating uncertainty about the identity of who is spoken of in particular passages.[iii] Joseph Smith makes an important distinction between the two by virtue of Priesthood. “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.”[iv]
Joseph Smith explained the differences in Priesthood between these offices: “What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you, saying, “I have the spirit of Elias” you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds. John did not transcend his bounds, but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office; and every portion of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place; and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not, or we may be likely to be deceived.”[v]
The Spirit of Elias has specific boundaries that a servant of God in this capacity will not exceed. Their work prepares the way for a greater work and they do not have to hold the title of “Elias” to perform a preparatory function. They do have to hold the Aaronic Priesthood or greater.
Spirit of Elijah
Each name/title represents progressive steps in the Priesthood of God. In making a distinction between the Priesthood and power of Elijah, Joseph Smith explains: “Now for Elijah. The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek 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.”[vi]
When the subject of Elijah is raised the topic of salvation for the dead soon follows after. Joseph Smith directed his audience to the importance of saving their kindred dead when he said: “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.”[vii]
Often overshadowed by the work of the dead is the significance of what holding the “fulness” of the Melchizedek Priesthood means. The Melchizedek Priesthood is the conduit by which our Heavenly Father shares his power with those who prove themselves trustworthy and faithful. They are men who follow the example of Jesus and seek not their own will but the will of our Heavenly Father. In addition to endowing His faithful servants with “power from on high,”[viii] these servants have the ability to bridge the divide between heaven and earth. Elijah, while mortal, was granted the privilege of ascending to heaven and returning without experiencing death.[ix] As noted in the last article, John the Revelator was a possessor of the Elijah power as well as Elias. Those who rise to this level of empowerment in the Melchizedek Priesthood are given the opportunity of seeing beyond the veil and knowing for themselves.[x]
Spirit of Messiah
Messiah is an obvious reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to the Savior’s life, ministry and Second Coming, Messiah also refers to a level of spirituality a man or woman may attain through repentance and the Grace of Jesus Christ. Before directing his comments to the subject of the Second Coming, Joseph explained: “Messiah is above the spirit 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.”[xi] After speaking briefly about the Second Coming, Joseph left comments regarding the Messiah for a later date.
I am unaware of additional comments by Joseph on the subject of Messiah in this context; however, there are scriptural references that illustrate application of the spirit of Messiah as part of template.
[i] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pgs. 335-341
[ii] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg 340
[iii] Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie, Salt Lake City, Ut. Bookcraft, 1966, pg.220
[iv] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pgs. 335-336
[v] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg.336
[vi] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg. 337
[vii] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg. 337
[viii] JST Genesis 14:25-40, 2 Kings 2:11, D&C 38:32-33,43:15-16, 105:9-11, 121:34-37
[ix] D&C 7:4-7, Alma 45:17-19, 3 Nephi 28:1-10
[x] D&C 76:5-10,114-119
[xi] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City, Ut. Deseret Book, 1974, pg.340
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