Monday 22 December 2014

Fullness Of The Gospel/Priesthood

No doubt, I have often addressed this subject time and time again in my talks as well as in my writings.  In fact, everything I write on this blog is a part of, and leads to, this subject. 

The "Fullness of the Gospel"  and the "Fullness of the Priesthood" are terms which are often used as a craft to control the minds of the populace and to subject them to slavery. 

I find that a clever person can gather and quote scripture after scripture to "prove" (seemingly) any ridiculous doctrine no matter how false or how wicked.  Similarly, a defense can be constructed in like manner.  The two parties being at a standstill where none are edified.  This is the main reason that I am not fond of quoting a plethora of scripture in an attempt to convince anyone.  Those who do not already know their scriptures, in my opinion, really have no reason to ask these questions.  The answers are often not understood, let alone the question, without a basic working knowledge of the scriptures. 

Therefore, it is not my intent to quote several scriptures and to write a great theological debate clarifying the reasons for my belief, nor to sway by argument anyone's point of view.  It is my intent only to share those things that I have personally experienced, and hopefully someone will be able to glean a pearl, from which they may approach the Lord and receive line upon line, precept upon precept. 

Unfortunately, once again, some of my friends seem to be getting caught up in the hype of skillful scriptorians, who are able to sway the minds of those who have never bothered to study the scriptures for themselves.  And this particular argument is very persuasive, striving to convince people of a false doctrine often used to justify sin, and lead people captive into the bonds of the Luciferian One-Man doctrine. 

The false doctrine to which I am referring is plainly this: that the term Fullness of the Priesthood is said to be when one mortal man confers a certain level of the priesthood upon another.  This is of course false!  The fullness of the priesthood is only conferred by God Himself and is not realized until the person upon whom it was conferred by God actually acts in that capacity. 

Likewise, the Fullness of the Gospel is that which is a fullness of truth, which again can only be found in the actual presence of the Father.  There is no other way.  In other words, to be very blunt, those who are not standing in the very presence of the Father, neither have, nor comprehend, the fullness, indeed neither can they. 

The Fullness is no more nor less than the actual presence of the Father.  

No amount of arguing scripture, or claiming whatever special line of "authority" or "keys" will grant the fullness. (I should probably make a short post on what Keys actually are.)   No one mortal can confer the fullness of the gospel, nor the priesthood upon another.  It is true that a mortal who is in possession of a certain portion of the priesthood/gospel can confer it upon another, but that is it's limitation.  For how can a person confer that which they do not themselves possess? 

When reading the scriptures, minutes from early priesthood or lodge meetings, the Joseph Smith Papers, the early portion of the Council of Fifty minutes, remember that the fullness refers to the actual presence of the Saviour and then the Father.  The early saints lost the Fullness when they defiled the Kirtland temple, and they, as a group, refused to obey the directions of the Lord to complete the Nauvoo temple, and of course rejected the Lord and the Fullness when they delivered the Prophet and the Patriarch over to the 'Romans.'  It is easy to see that the Fullness was lost at that time.  Thus came the apostasy and the great task of the various factions to feign possession of the Fullness by changing revealed doctrine, changing the definition of the fullness in order to lead astray those who were faithful, although unread.  

In conclusion, those who claim that they have the Fullness of the Gospel, or Fullness of the Priesthood, if they are not walking and talking with the Lord in person, neither have been ordained by God Himself in person, they are ignorant or lying.  The way you can tell is to look at the fruit, look at their children, look at members of their congregation.  A true tree will always bear good fruit.  In other words, they will be bringing others, the highest and the lowest, into the presence of the Saviour.  And the fruits of the Spirit will be commonplace among them.  If the gifts of the Spirit are not present liberally, if only the leaders claim to have stood in the presence of the Saviour, then they are false!  A simple test is to follow whatever good pattern they say, and if it is of God, then He will manifest it to you.  You will not need to guess, the fruits will be plainly manifest, to which the Lord will also provide a second witness. 

Trust not in the arm of flesh.  Instead go directly to God and He will answer you.  He talks to all those who fully repent of all their sins and humble themselves before Him, being completely contrite and prepared to believe and follow all things. 

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2 comments:

  1. Ditto!
    My husband and I have 3 sons. I had a great discussion with my Eldest today. I have been teaching him about what the Fullness of the Gospel is. The next step will be the fullness of the PH. I might just use this post. I will pray for guidance. Have a wonderful monday! Love, your sister in Christ-Sally

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    1. Thank-you Sally for your kind words. I hope the conversation with your son goes very well, and if you don't mind I'll add my faith to yours and offer a prayer too.
      Your Brother in the Faith,
      Joseph

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