Groundwork for Government and Leadership

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GROUNDWORK FOR GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP. BY BISHOP CHRISTIAN A. MADSEN.

IV.

CELESTIAL ORDER. "I will give you the spirit of truth, to abide with you forever, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth not, neither knoweth him." John 14: 17.

"All things I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you." John 15: 15.

"Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." LortTs Prayer.

Jesus of Nazareth as the Savior of mankind, informed his fallen and strayed-off brethren and sisters, how God's exalted children practiced celestial law in the presence of the Father, where the Savior descended from; and at the same time, he endowed the humble and obedient with the Holy Spirit, with power to live and act in harmony with celestial conditions, to be joint heirs with the Firstborn, and be brought back to the realms of the eternal parents. At some of the closing scenes of the Savior's mission to Israel in Palestine, surrounded with his chosen ones, in a mood which we have no description of, and of which we think that only angels and gods take notes; at that grand occasion he spoke these most significant and infinite words: "All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you." Under the impression of

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deepest solemnity, mortal souls will pause, before such utterances, when the Spirit of God will convey even only a small part of its meanii^: "All things that I have heard of my Father — I have made known unto you." The Nazarene with his matchless power of inspiration, had made known to his friends how life and existence were carried out and enjoyed under celestial rule, in the presence of the Father and His exalted children. As we understand it: those chosen ones, at that instance, were endowed with knowledge and power from on high, to overcome sin inherited on this earth during the dominion of Lucifer; and on certain conditions, instead of being subjected under the yoke of sin, to be set free, and inclined to love the Father and keep his commandments. Hence, to be taught celestial rule, and have imparted the spiritual gifts and disposition to abide in these teachings, is indeed the power of God unto salvation. In those marvelous words: "All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you:" did not, there and then, the Great Master commit to those unto whom he spoke, the groundworks for celestial government and^ leadership, to be practiced on this globe? But we are not acquainted with, nor has it been made known, that these great and glorious gifts and blessings were at that time, or since, practiced outside of that circle to whom he made them known, and conferred them, in the land of Palestine. But in giving allowance for the reservation or noncommittal (ni. Nephi 26: 11) and by comparison with the above revelation, (John 15: 15) still more marvelous are the words of the Savior (HI. Nephi 19: 36): "Verily, I say unto you, there is none of them (in Palestine) that have seen so great things as ye have seen, neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard." With such enduring power were these teachings, spiritual gifts and divine authority, administered and received by the remnants of the Nephites, who had come out unscathed from the great tribulations, that during about two centuries afterwards, they continued to practice under celestial government and leadership. But how sparingly have we as yet been favored, or considered worthy, to know about it in our time; since a special injunction was given that it should not be made known to the people. (HI. Nephi 26: 11.) There are, however, some faint resonances vibrating between

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the lines of the historic records, (III. Nephi 26: 19, 20, 21; IV. Nephi 1, 2, 3, and from 12 to 17) in regard to past, present and future celestial government, as glimpses of divine government and leadership. As one instance, I can imagine the writer. Brother W. W. Phelps, in the Latter-day Saints hymn book, page 79, sitting under the voice of the prophet listening, while the latter unfolded to him in prophetic vision the glory of Zion, and how lives were lived under the prophet Enoch's dispensation, "where they shunned the power of Satan, and observerd celestial laws:"

"Where the righteous, being perfect. Walked with God in streets of gold. Then their faith and works were perfect, Lo! they followed their great head,"

But how carefully in aftertime, and for good reasons, have these things been hidden, (III. Nephi, 26: 18.) The Apostle Paul also said about having been carried into heavenly visions: he saw things which it was not lawful for him to convey to others, or speak about. Why? Perhaps, in accordance with a well established system of teaching, that it would be improper to introduce students to a class exercise with which they were not familiar and upon which they were not prepared. And when "the power of heaven," (celestial order?) shall come down, and I (the Savior) also will be in the midst. (III. Nephi 21 25.) He expounded all things to them, both great and small. (26: 1-4.) And then shall the greater things be made manifest. (III. Nephi 26: 9, 18; 28: 13-15. Thus we find in the Book of Mormon, some of the most precious glimpses of divine information in government and leadership which to our knowledge have ever been given through the great and leading Prophet of the latter days, Joseph Smith. But what exceeding precautions have been used, that those most advanced measures in celestial government, should not be committed untimely to the present generation! It appears in III. Nephi 26: 9-11, and in the Doctrine and Covenants, page 282: 17, 18; and page 378: 4-6, and from 9 to 13, concerning the events predicted to come to pass in our days, that as yet, we were not

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prepared and qualified for a fullness of information and practice in the celestial order. Nevertheless, we know through divine revelation that those great events are right at our doors, and that it is therefore of greatest moment for students in celestial developments to purify themselves, and reach out after these pearls of great price, which are to be found within the divine educational system given in these latter days, and brought out as preparatory study and practice, for the benefit of heirs to celestial exaltation. (Book of Doctrine and Covenants, Sections 49, 51, 70, 72, 78, 82, 85, 92, 96, 104, 105.) When the entire holy records of this continent shall be revealed, in letter and in spirit, believed to include the most advanced practice in government and leadership, both during the anti-diluvian period, and about two centuries of the Nephite era, we are assured that advanced practices in celestial order will be inaugurated on our globe.

That same abounding friendship which Christ bestowed upon his chosen ones (John 15: 15), undoubtedly he will again (if not already done) bestow upon his friends of this last dispensation, and be revealed through his prophet; and God's people will be introduced into such divine practices, as we are now prophetically looking forward to, and preparing for; even the highest groundworks for divine government, in this the fullness of times. It will be when the people of God shall prove themselves worthy and ready for such eternal blessings, being able to open the celestial gate to the presence of the Father, (Doctrine and Covenants page 282: 21.) and be kings and priests, and queens, and priestesses to the Most High. (Rev. John 1-6, 5-10, 20-26.) May then the will of the Father be done on earth as it is done in heaven, under the celestial order of the government of God.