And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord, and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.
In the post "Sariah and Lehi" we touched very very briefly that it had appeared that Sariah had grown in light.
A question has come to my mind since that post.
Was it the return of her sons that gave her the confidence that God had commanded them to flee Jerusalem and retrieve the brass plates or had she obtained that confidence by revelation?
Just because she mentions her surety to her sons upon their return could she have obtained a revelation before they returned?
Does the Book of Mormon contain everything that was had among Lehi and his family and among the Nephites?
Is it possible that there could be a "book of Sariah" or a "book of Lehi and Sariah"?
When they first traveled into the wilderness the account reads,
And it came to pass that he (Lehi) built an altar of stones and made an offering unto the Lord and gave thanks unto the Lord our God. (1 Nephi, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 8)
Now we read,
And it came to pass that they (Lehi and Sariah) did rejoice exceedingly and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord, and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. (1 Nephi, NC 1 Nephi 1 par. 22)
This second event is reminiscent of what is contained in the Book of Moses brought forth by the Prophet Joseph
And Adam called upon the name of the Lord, and Eve also, his wife, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way towards the garden of Eden speaking unto them and they saw Him not,...And He gave unto them commandment that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord...And in that day, the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, who bears record of the Father and the Son, saying, I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as you have fallen, you may be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will. And in that day Adam blessed God, and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the Earth, saying, Blessed be the name of God. For because of my transgression my eyes are open, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God. And Eve his wife heard all these things ans was glad, saying, Were it not for our transgression, we should never had seed, and should never had known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the Eternal life which God gives unto all the obedient. (Moses 5:4 - 11, OC Genesis 3 pars. 2 - 4)
Adam and Eve offered sacrifice together.
Did Adam and Eve have the Law of Moses?
Did Adam and Eve possess the same revelation together?
Was this sacrifice together part of the original religion given to Adam and Eve by God?
Were Lehi and Sariah performing something together that predates the Law of Moses?
Did Sariah and Lehi now possess a same revelation together just like Adam and Eve?
Is the Book of Mormon giving an obscure reference here to an ordinance that belongs to the original religion revealed to Adam and Eve in the beginning?
If sacrifice was part of the original religion God revealed to Adam and Eve and if we are to have all things restored to their original order is it necessary then for sacrifice, even as it was had with Adam and Eve, to be restored?
Did Sariah and Lehi now possess a same revelation together just like Adam and Eve?
Is the Book of Mormon giving an obscure reference here to an ordinance that belongs to the original religion revealed to Adam and Eve in the beginning?
If sacrifice was part of the original religion God revealed to Adam and Eve and if we are to have all things restored to their original order is it necessary then for sacrifice, even as it was had with Adam and Eve, to be restored?
The following is part of the discourse from the Prophet Joseph given 05 October 1840. It is recorded in History of the Church, 4:207-212 and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith pp. 166 - 173. I would invite everyone to read the entire discourse and study it.
Andrew F Ehat and Lyndon W Cook editors of the book The Words of Joseph Smith, with a foreward by Truman G Madsen, comment as follows concerning this discourse on page 50 of The Words of Joseph Smith.
"This discourse is apparently the only discourse for which the Prophet ever prepared a text. He did not personally deliver this "Treatise on Priesthood," but had his scribe, Robert B. Thompson, read it to the Saints assembled in general conference....In this important address the Prophet makes many important statements on Temple Priesthood the day after announcing plans for the construction of the Nauvoo Temple."
What is here is not someone else's notes of what they understood the Prophet to be saying in a discourse. These are Joseph's words written down right as Joseph was dictating them. Therefore we know that these words are true and they are totally and completely from Joseph himself.
The following is from The Words of Joseph Smith. All spelling, capitalization and grammatical errors are preserved from the written discourse.
Starting in the discourse on page 42 and reading to page 44 of The Words of Joseph Smith we read,
"And God said unto Noah the end of all flesh is before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold I will destroy them with the earth," thus we behold the Keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the Keys, the Covenants, the power and glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning and the offring of Sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time, for all ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the priesthood under the direction and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation. Therefore all things had under the Authority of the Priesthood at any former period shall be had again - bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets. "then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord Se[e] Malichi 3 Chap. 3&4 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of Silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord. It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine, set forth in the above quotation, As it is generally supposed that Sacrifice was entirely done away when the great sacrifice was offered up- and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of Sacrifice in the future, but those who assert this, are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood. or with the prophets The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the priesthood. It began with the priesthood and will be continued until after the coming of Christ from generation to generation-We free-quently have mention made of offering of Sacrifice by the servants of the most high in ancient days prior to the law of moses, See which ordinances will be continued when the priesthood is restored with all its authority power and blessings."
"And God said unto Noah the end of all flesh is before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold I will destroy them with the earth," thus we behold the Keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the Keys, the Covenants, the power and glory with which he blessed Adam at the beginning and the offring of Sacrifice which also shall be continued at the last time, for all ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the priesthood under the direction and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation. Therefore all things had under the Authority of the Priesthood at any former period shall be had again - bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets. "then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord Se[e] Malichi 3 Chap. 3&4 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of Silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord. It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine, set forth in the above quotation, As it is generally supposed that Sacrifice was entirely done away when the great sacrifice was offered up- and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of Sacrifice in the future, but those who assert this, are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood. or with the prophets The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the priesthood. It began with the priesthood and will be continued until after the coming of Christ from generation to generation-We free-quently have mention made of offering of Sacrifice by the servants of the most high in ancient days prior to the law of moses, See which ordinances will be continued when the priesthood is restored with all its authority power and blessings."
This next part of the the discourse, which talks about the coming of Elijah to restore all these things necessary for the ordinances of the temple to be attended to in righteousness, is also very interesting. The Kirtland temple was dedicated in 1836 and this discourse was given October 5 1840 fully more than four years following the Kirtland temple. Tradition dictates that Elijah restored a fulness of all priesthood power and authority in the Kirtland temple. Joseph is teaching that that is not the case. The Prophet Joseph made references to the mission of Elijah also in 1842, 1843, and as late a January and March 1844, just a few months before his death, as a future event. In his January 1844 discourse Joseph also stated,
"...I would to God that this temple was now done that we might go into it & go to work & improve our time & make use of the seals while they are on earth the Saints have none to much time to save & redeem their dead, & gather together their living relatives that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten..." (The Words of Joseph Smith p.318.)
Joseph knew that the time was short for the seals to be on the earth before he would be taken. He desperately encouraged the saints to complete the temple before that time.
"...I would to God that this temple was now done that we might go into it & go to work & improve our time & make use of the seals while they are on earth the Saints have none to much time to save & redeem their dead, & gather together their living relatives that they may be saved also, before the earth will be smitten..." (The Words of Joseph Smith p.318.)
Joseph knew that the time was short for the seals to be on the earth before he would be taken. He desperately encouraged the saints to complete the temple before that time.
The discourse continues,
"Elijah was the last prophet that held the keys of this priesthood, and who will, (a reference to a yet future event) before the last dispensation, restore the authority and delive[r] the Keys of this priesthood in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing but the Sons of Levi were too predjudi[ced].
And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord &c &c. Why send Elijah because he holds the Keys of Authority to administer in all the ordinances of the priesthood and without the authority is given the ordinances could not be administered in righteousness. It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed, this was not the case if you read Leviticus [2] Chap [2-3] verses you will observe that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the priests. So that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the Alter, but the blood is sprinkled and the fat and certain other portions are consumed These sacrifices as well as every ordinance belonging to the priesthood will when the temple of the Lord shall be built and the Sons of Levi be purified be fully restored and attended to then all their powers ramifications ramifications and blessings- this ever was and will exist when the powers of the Melchisid Priesthood are sufficiently manifest. Else how can the restitution of all things spoken by all the Holy Prophets be brought to pass It is not to be understood that, the law of moses will be established again with all it rights and variety of ceremonies, this has never been spoken of by the prophets but those things which existed prior to Mose's day viz Sacrifice will be continued- It may be asked by some what necessity for Sacrifice since the great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which if Repentance Baptism and faith existed prior to the days of Christ what necessity for them since that time-"
Is what is occurring here with Lehi and Sariah an obscure allusion to the possibility that Lehi and his family possessed the original religion given to Adam and Eve?
Was this a work of restoration that God was performing with Lehi and his family?
The Book of Mormon does contain a fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Is this event alluding to what the Prophet Joseph was teaching needed to be restored, as far as sacrifice is concerned?
Is what Sariah and Lehi are doing here part of what will be had in a temple when the Lord commands one to be built?
When God revealed the original religion to Adam and Eve did He reveal it to them together?
What is so important about a husband and a wife receiving something together?
The following is from the talk "Marriage and Family" delivered in St George on the 26th of July 2014 by Denver Snuffer.
Adam and Eve had sons and daughters, their children likewise were married and they had sons
and daughters. They were visited and they were instructed by the angel. They were baptized,
then they received the Holy Ghost. Look what is provided by access to the Holy Ghost in verse
66 in chapter 6. They are baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, this is the record of the
Father and Son from henceforth and forever. It's also referred to and defined more in verse 61:
"It is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of
immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all
things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth,
justice, and judgment."
So that is what was within them. What happens when they are so endowed and they are
equipped? This is Moses chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. I am so glad that these verses were restored
to us, because contained in this is a much, much greater lesson if you have the eyes to see it:
"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the
families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my
eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God."That's Adam prophesying what is going to befall all the future generations. That was what Adam
did. Now look at what Eve did: "And Eve, his wife, heard all these things [the prophecy comes
through Adam, Eve hears it] and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never
should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our
redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."
There is a profound difference between, the response to the power of the Spirit upon these two.
With respect to its effect upon Adam on the one hand, and its effect upon Eve on the other, there
was a fundamental difference. These were remarkably different reactions. To the man it is, that
he prophesies, that is, he declares the truth. The "truth" being a knowledge of things as they are,
and as they were, and as they are to come. That definition is given to us in the Doctrine and
Covenants.6 This is the role of the man, and this is the role Adam fulfilled. But to Eve on the
other hand, she obtains wisdom through the Spirit.
The role of the man is knowledge, the role of the woman is wisdom, and you see that on display
right here in these verses. It is role of the woman to have the understanding, to take the prophecy
that has been delivered by Adam, to process it and to say, here is what it means. This is the role
of the woman. This is the gift of the woman. This is eternally the role of the woman. This is why
there is a male and there is a female. In many respects the gift of wisdom eludes the male, and in
many respects the gift of knowledge eludes the female. I'm not talking about "knowledge" in the
sense that a woman can't have a PhD. Two of the brightest people I know are daughters of mine.
It's not that I am referring to. I'm talking about knowledge in a godly sense. Knowledge in "the
gift of God" sense, and I'm talking about wisdom in "the gift of God" sense, and the scriptural
sense. This is an example.
Now look at verse 12. "And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God." [And how did they do
that? They did that by a ritual. They did that by offering sacrifice. They did that by observing
what they understood, but they did it together.] "And they," [it is they, the two of them,] "they
made all things known unto their sons and their daughters." [This was not Adam preaching
repentance, this was not Eve preaching repentance. This was they, both together. This was the
two of them. They are equally yoked. This is the two of them joined together to make the
declaration. They together. The two of them however, beginning in verse 12, begin to make all
things known unto their sons and daughters after they had been adequately prepared to
understand and declare the truth. They were first prepared before they began to preach.
Is it possible that in this quick reference to Lehi and Sariah offering sacrifice and giving thanks to the God of Israel that we see a glimpse of all that has been shared above?
Is the original religion revealed to Adam and Eve by God intended to be a religion where a man (who has the role of receiving Godly knowledge) and a woman (who has the role of imparting Godly wisdom) are married by covenant (between God and each other) and receive together understanding and revelations whereby with the combined knowledge and wisdom they possess they are able to invite and persuade their children to live in righteousness?
Ultimately, is revelation intended to be received by a husband and wife together?
Would that make them "one flesh"?
Could it be said of them that they had become of "one mind"?
Would this make them "one in purpose"?
If this is the original religion or part of it then does it reflect heaven?
Is it possible that the original religion is meant to teach, by experience, what it is that our Divine Parents do; receive together and wisely impart knowledge to their offspring to invite and seek to persuade their offspring to follow after them in righteousness?
Is this event in the Book of Mormon meant to be an introduction to us; an invitation to us to look into marriage?
Was this a work of restoration that God was performing with Lehi and his family?
The Book of Mormon does contain a fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Is this event alluding to what the Prophet Joseph was teaching needed to be restored, as far as sacrifice is concerned?
Is what Sariah and Lehi are doing here part of what will be had in a temple when the Lord commands one to be built?
When God revealed the original religion to Adam and Eve did He reveal it to them together?
What is so important about a husband and a wife receiving something together?
The following is from the talk "Marriage and Family" delivered in St George on the 26th of July 2014 by Denver Snuffer.
Adam and Eve had sons and daughters, their children likewise were married and they had sons
and daughters. They were visited and they were instructed by the angel. They were baptized,
then they received the Holy Ghost. Look what is provided by access to the Holy Ghost in verse
66 in chapter 6. They are baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, this is the record of the
Father and Son from henceforth and forever. It's also referred to and defined more in verse 61:
"It is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of
immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all
things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth,
justice, and judgment."
So that is what was within them. What happens when they are so endowed and they are
equipped? This is Moses chapter 5, verses 10 and 11. I am so glad that these verses were restored
to us, because contained in this is a much, much greater lesson if you have the eyes to see it:
"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the
families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my
eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God."That's Adam prophesying what is going to befall all the future generations. That was what Adam
did. Now look at what Eve did: "And Eve, his wife, heard all these things [the prophecy comes
through Adam, Eve hears it] and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never
should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our
redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient."
There is a profound difference between, the response to the power of the Spirit upon these two.
With respect to its effect upon Adam on the one hand, and its effect upon Eve on the other, there
was a fundamental difference. These were remarkably different reactions. To the man it is, that
he prophesies, that is, he declares the truth. The "truth" being a knowledge of things as they are,
and as they were, and as they are to come. That definition is given to us in the Doctrine and
Covenants.6 This is the role of the man, and this is the role Adam fulfilled. But to Eve on the
other hand, she obtains wisdom through the Spirit.
The role of the man is knowledge, the role of the woman is wisdom, and you see that on display
right here in these verses. It is role of the woman to have the understanding, to take the prophecy
that has been delivered by Adam, to process it and to say, here is what it means. This is the role
of the woman. This is the gift of the woman. This is eternally the role of the woman. This is why
there is a male and there is a female. In many respects the gift of wisdom eludes the male, and in
many respects the gift of knowledge eludes the female. I'm not talking about "knowledge" in the
sense that a woman can't have a PhD. Two of the brightest people I know are daughters of mine.
It's not that I am referring to. I'm talking about knowledge in a godly sense. Knowledge in "the
gift of God" sense, and I'm talking about wisdom in "the gift of God" sense, and the scriptural
sense. This is an example.
Now look at verse 12. "And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God." [And how did they do
that? They did that by a ritual. They did that by offering sacrifice. They did that by observing
what they understood, but they did it together.] "And they," [it is they, the two of them,] "they
made all things known unto their sons and their daughters." [This was not Adam preaching
repentance, this was not Eve preaching repentance. This was they, both together. This was the
two of them. They are equally yoked. This is the two of them joined together to make the
declaration. They together. The two of them however, beginning in verse 12, begin to make all
things known unto their sons and daughters after they had been adequately prepared to
understand and declare the truth. They were first prepared before they began to preach.
Is it possible that in this quick reference to Lehi and Sariah offering sacrifice and giving thanks to the God of Israel that we see a glimpse of all that has been shared above?
Is the original religion revealed to Adam and Eve by God intended to be a religion where a man (who has the role of receiving Godly knowledge) and a woman (who has the role of imparting Godly wisdom) are married by covenant (between God and each other) and receive together understanding and revelations whereby with the combined knowledge and wisdom they possess they are able to invite and persuade their children to live in righteousness?
Ultimately, is revelation intended to be received by a husband and wife together?
Would that make them "one flesh"?
Could it be said of them that they had become of "one mind"?
Would this make them "one in purpose"?
If this is the original religion or part of it then does it reflect heaven?
Is it possible that the original religion is meant to teach, by experience, what it is that our Divine Parents do; receive together and wisely impart knowledge to their offspring to invite and seek to persuade their offspring to follow after them in righteousness?
Is this event in the Book of Mormon meant to be an introduction to us; an invitation to us to look into marriage?
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