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James J. Strang was one of only two men in the last days to claim a calling and ordination of God as the head of the Church of Christ. Joseph Smith was the first to claim an ordination at the hands of angels as an Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver like Moses, Jesus, and others. He was shot and murdered at Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844; while under the protective custody of the Governor of Illinois. At the very moment of his death, James J. Strang claimed to have been ordained to the same priesthood; although 400 miles distant, and without any means of knowing of the martyrdom of Joseph. In May, 2004, Samuel E. West completed a book entitled: James
J. Strang, Prophet Like Unto Moses. This book provides evidence
beyond doubt that James J. Strang was the legal successor of Joseph Smith; as
Apostle, Prophet, Lawgiver, Revelator, Translator, and divine Teacher. Part One
includes chapters on James J. Strang the Man, the Prophet, the Revelator, the
Translator, the Teacher, the Martyred Prophet, and the future Deliverer in This Page includes Part One of that book. It is divided into eight sections to match the eight chapters in the book. You can go to any chapter by simply clicking on that chapter shown below. You can proceed to any subject that is highlighted at the beginning of that chapter by clicking on that subject (e.g. Letter of Appointment from Joseph Smith). At the end of each chapter there will be a link to the next chapter. Click on any highlighted title to go to that section. Chapter One: JAMES
J. STRANG, PROPHET
LIKE UNTO MOSES
Kingdom of Heaven The purpose of this book is to provide evidence beyond doubt that James J. Strang was the legal successor of Joseph Smith; as Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver; and to provide the laws, revelations, prophecies, and teachings of James J. Strang. This book, combined with the Book of the Law of the Lord, provides all of the teachings of James that were published in official church documents. Part One includes the life of James; and James
J. Strang as Prophet, Revelator, Translator, Teacher, Martyred Prophet, and
future Deliverer. Part Two includes
all of the teachings of James as written in tracts and made public in the
various official church journals. The most sacred book of Scripture is the Book
of the Law of the Lord. It is
mentioned by name over twenty times in the Bible; and hundreds of times as the
law of God. Scripture is sorely
defective without it. No record of
the book itself is found in the Bible until the time of Moses.
It is evident, though, that it was given to Adam.
Without the law they could not have obeyed the law; and without obedience
to the law they could not have been righteous men.
When Cain violated that law he was severely condemned.
When men turned from the ways of godliness to the delights of the world,
they were destroyed by the great flood. The
law was passed through first born sons from Adam to Noah. Noah and Shem taught the law to Abraham.
It was evidently lost during the 400 year captivity in Shortly before the gathering of the house of The stick of Joseph, “which is in the hand
of Ephraim,” is the Book of Mormon. There is
no other book of Scripture which is a record of the seed of Joseph.
This was soon to be followed by the stick of “12
Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of
Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins,
and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall
grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of
contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing
them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the
knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord. 13 And out of weakness he shall be
made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto
the restoring thee, O house of “2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of
the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his
ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law
shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Micah
4) Although
occasional verses from the Book of the Law
will be quoted in this book, it is requisite to have a copy for reference.
This book includes information on the personal life of James.
It affords evidence that James was the only person who was properly
called and ordained to succeed Joseph as First President; and fulfilled all of
the duties of that office. It
includes the visions, ordination, revelations, and pastoral letters of James.
Together, with the Book of the Law
of the Lord, it includes all of the tracts and teachings of James from
official church publications. The
terms man and men are used to include both male and female. “We are only capable of comprehending that certain
things exist, which we may acquire by certain fixed principles. If men would
acquire salvation, they have got to be subject, before they leave this world, to
certain rules and principles, which were fixed by an unalterable decree before
the world was. “The disappointment of hopes and expectations at the
resurrection would be indescribably dreadful. “The organization of the spiritual and heavenly
worlds, and of spiritual and heavenly beings, was agreeable to the most perfect
order and harmony: their limits and bounds were fixed irrevocably, and
voluntarily subscribed to in their heavenly estate by themselves, and were by
our first parents subscribed to upon the earth.
Hence the importance of embracing and subscribing to principles of
eternal truth by all men upon the earth that expect eternal
life.”—History of the Church,
Vol. 6, p. 50. The single most
important object in the life of every person should be to seek the This salvation
requires us to worship the true and living God of Israel, honor Jesus as the
literal seed of David and our Savior, obey the gospel of Christ, and live by the
law of God. “3 And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17) “16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek.” ( “37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter
and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall
call.” (Acts 2) “1
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his
statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.” (Deut. 11)
“3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5) The kingdom of heaven is
not entirely unlike those of man. Or,
more accurate, man has recognized an order for society which resembles the order
of the house of God. First, there
must be a head. Second, there must
be laws to govern the kingdom. Third,
there must be officers to administer the laws and care for the welfare of the
kingdom. All men are born in the
flesh alien to the ALL officers of the Only God holds authority to call men to the priesthood; and only one properly ordained holds divine authority to ordain another. “Thou shalt not take upon thyself the honour of the Priesthood; neither shalt thou confer this honour on any but him whom the Lord they God shall call. For no man shall administer in the name of God, but he that is called by the revelation of God’s will, and set apart by the hands of those upon whom the authority of his name is sealed.” (Book of the Law, p. 163) Not even Jesus was exempt
from this law. “4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but
he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself
to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my
Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art
a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Aaron was called by
prophecy through Moses. Every
officer in the kingdom of heaven must be called by the spirit of prophesy and
ordained by one holding that priesthood. “10
…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19)
Paul told his son Timothy, “14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given
thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1
Tim. 4) The Melchisedec
Priesthood was held from Adam to Abraham, by Isaac, Jacob, and his sons.
It was lost to Holding this
highest office of the Melchisedec Priesthood, Jesus held and established all
other officers of the Melchisedec Priesthood.
“11 And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists [High Priests];
and some, pastors [Elders] and
teachers; 12 FOR the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 TILL we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) The purpose of
these officers in the kingdom is “for the perfecting of the saints” and
“work of the ministry.” In other
words, no one can either preach the gospel, or administer the saving ordinances
of the gospel, without holding one of these offices.
“22 Beginning from
the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one
be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1)
“7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the
LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name [authority] in vain.”
(Ex. 20) No alien can
become a citizen of the Before Jesus
began His ministry, He went to John for baptism of water.
John, as a Priest of the Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood, held divine
authority to baptize with water; but not of the Spirit.
“11 I indeed baptize
you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire.” (Matt. 3) After His
baptism, forty days in the wilderness, and being tempted of Satan, “angels
came and ministered unto him.” (Matt. 4:11)
What did they minister? Jesus
was called of God and ordained as an Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver of the
Melchisedec Priesthood. Holding this
higher office, He also held all lower offices; including that of High Priest. After
receiving authority from God, “from
that time Jesus began to preach.” (Matt. 4:17)
“38 God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and
healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10) Jesus then
called and ordained the twelve Apostles. “14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send
them forth to preach.” (Mark 3) This
ordination to the Melchisedec Priesthood empowered them with divine authority to
preach the gospel, administer baptism of water and the Spirit, and have their
works recorded in the book of life. “19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16)
“5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and
I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev. 3) Jesus and the
Apostles called and ordained High Priests (Evangelists) and Elders (Pastors).
It takes seventy to form a quorum of Elders that are sent to travel and
preach the gospel. “1
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and
two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
(Luke 10) Jesus appointed at
least a hundred and forty such Elders. This same
organization of officers continued after Jesus.
Peter was called and ordained as Apostle, Prophet, and head of the
people. “17
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou
me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou
knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21) Matthias was
called to fill the place in the Twelve held by Judas (Acts As noted by
Paul in Hebrews, only those called of God by the spirit of prophesy and ordained
by one holding that priesthood are recognized by God.
He reminded his son of the same. “14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the
laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Tim. 4) The most basic
duty of every member of the Melchisedec Priesthood is to preach the gospel of
Christ and administer its ordinances. Jesus
quoted from the book of Esaias, “18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he hath anointed [ordained] me
to preach the gospel to the poor; he [the Father] hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4)
The Apostle Paul wrote, “18
What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I
abuse not my power [authority] in the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9)
Any man who is paid for preaching the gospel is not a minister sent of
God. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the true and living God of Israel; and in Jesus Christ. “6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11) “12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name [Jesus] under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4) Gospel faith is
realized only through the preaching of one who holds divine authority to baptize
into the kingdom. “14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and
bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ( The laws of God specify the
requirements for membership in the kingdom.
“5 Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the Members of the
kingdom of heaven are promised eternal life in the kingdom, if they remain
faithful to the law of God throughout their mortal lives.
“7 To them who by
patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality,
eternal life.” ( After death
their spirits dwell with Abraham and all other members of the kingdom until
their resurrection. All others are
taken to the spirits in prison (hell). Saints
of God are the first to be resurrected and receive an immortal physical body. Many
were resurrected after Jesus. They
are promised life on the earth after it is restored to its original glory as a
paradise for the Sabbath of Creation—the Millennium.
All others must wait to be resurrected until the thousand years are over
(Rev. 20). Here is the hope
of all members of the kingdom of heaven. Here
is the time when the kingdoms of man cease; and Jesus stands as King over the
whole earth. “25
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19) “6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20) After the Millennium, Satan
is “loosed out of his prison” for a short season.
The nations of the world are gathered for war and, “fire
came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Mortal man comes
to an end; and the rest of mankind are resurrected and stand before the judgment
bar of God. Then there is to be a “new heaven and a new earth;” and the earth
enters its final celestial glory and the saints inherit the earth for eternity
with the Father and the Son (See Rev. 20 – 22). “3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they
shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former
things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make
all things new. And he said unto me,
Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life
freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God,
and he shall be my son… 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God
Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the
sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it,
and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved
shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory
and honour into it.” (Rev. 21) Those who have
not believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ cannot inherit the Members of the
kingdom of heaven were first called sons of God.
All others were called sons of men. After
the flood they were called Gentiles (also translated heathen).
Saints of God will continue to be known as sons of God. “12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1) Saints of God
are those that worship the only true and living God, honor Jesus as the literal
son of David and their Savior, obey the gospel of Christ, and remain faithful
and obedient to the laws of God throughout the rest of their lives. After
the flood, the distinction between saints and sinners was acknowledged when
Abraham was made the father of all saints of God.
“3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse
him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed.” (Gen. 12) “27 For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ… 29 And if ye
be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
(Gal. 3) All other men are
known as Gentiles. There have
always been only a few saints of God.
Most men never enter the kingdom of heaven during mortal life.
Man has generally been determined to follow his own will and pursue the
delights of the world. When man
departs from loving the true and living God, and obeying His will and laws, he
separates himself from communication with God; and the door to the kingdom is
soon closed. “1
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa.
59) This division
of man, between saints and sinners, was primarily the product of the works of
man during his first estate; as spirits. We
all lived together as spirits before the foundation of the earth.
“13 And no man hath
ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man
which is in heaven.” (John 3) Spiritual
opportunities in this life are the result of works in the spirit.
“7 When the morning
stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38)
Lucifer’s rebellion caused him, and a third of the spirits of
this creation, to be cast down—never to receive a physical body.
The works of only a few loyal spirits (sons of God) provided them with an
opportunity to know God, obey the gospel of Christ, and become members of the
kingdom while in the flesh. “4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will.” (Eph. 1) Nine
generations after Adam, mankind had almost entirely departed from the will of
God. Only Noah and his family
remained faithful. The average
lifetime of men during the time from Adam to Noah was over eight hundred years.
As the flood came only a thousand years after the fourth generation was
born, it is easy to conclude that most of the people born in the time before the
flood were still alive at the time of the flood.
How few saints there must have been among the people from Adam to Noah?
Only Noah and his family of eight survived. There is to be
a similar circumstance at the time Jesus returns.
“26 And as it was in
the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17)
Jesus will soon return, “8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1)
“5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because
they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting
covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell
therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few
men left.” (Isa. 24) “8 I tell
you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless
when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18)
“15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen [gentile]: as
thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine
own head. 16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the
heathen [gentile] drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall
swallow down, and they shall be as though
they had not been.” (Obad. 1) Abraham was
born in the meridian of time between Adam and Jesus in 2052 BC.
He lived with Noah and Shem for thirty-nine years in the Abraham became
the father of the elect people of God. This
covenant was passed to his son Isaac, and to his grandson Jacob.
Jacob had twelve sons who were the fathers of the twelve tribes of Moses ordained
Joshua a lesser Apostle and Prophet to be the head of the people of God after
his death. “18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua
the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19 And
set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him
a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him,
that all the congregation of the children of The house of From the time
of the kings, the house of Jesus restored
the Melchisedec Priesthood, opened a new dispensation of the gospel, provided
communication with God, brought order to the house of God, and opened the door
to the kingdom of heaven. The Jews
once again had the opportunity to become the people of God.
Again, they would not. They
were cut off and the Gentiles were grafted in. Jesus had
forbidden the Apostles to take the gospel to the Gentiles; until the times of
the Jews had been fulfilled. A
dispensation of the gospel was then given to the Gentiles.
“15 And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned.” (Mark 16) Paul noted that
Gentiles were brought into the kingdom only because the Jews had rejected it;
but, warned, “lest he also
spare not thee.” Paul
foretold of the time when the Gentiles would reject the authority of God; even
as the Jews before them. The natural
branches were to be grafted back in after the times of the Gentiles was
fulfilled. “20
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith.
Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural
branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the
goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee,
goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they
abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them
in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature,
and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how
much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own
olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness
in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
( The Gentile
Christians began returning to their pagan traditions even before the end of the
Apostles. The Apostle Paul warned
that before the return of Jesus there would be a falling away—an apostasy of
the Gentiles. “3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition… 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” (2 Thess. 2)
Paul was martyred in 69 AD. John was the
last Prophet and head of the church. Jesus
offered a final warning through him to the Gentiles in the second and third
chapters of Revelation.
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the
first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:5)
They were commanded to repent and do their first works (baptism).
They failed. If they had not
apostatized, there would have been a continuous line of Prophets among the
Gentiles; even as there had been among the house of God did not
stop speaking to them because they had become righteous; but, because they had
returned to their pagan traditions and the pleasures of the world.
It is man who severs communication with God through a lack of faith and
disobedience. “1
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa.
59) There were
several centuries when, most likely, a remnant of the saints remained.
By the time the final form of the beast in Revelation was organized--the
Papacy in 570 AD--Satan had gained control over ALL the souls of man.
“And it was given
unto him to make war with the saints, and to OVERCOME THEM: and power was given
him over ALL kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7) Scripture, ecclesiastical
history, and church leaders have noted this apostasy of the Gentiles and return
to their pagan origins. “The
rites and institutions, by which the Greeks, Romans, and other nations, had
formerly testified their religious veneration for fictitious deities, were now
adopted, with some slight alterations by Christian bishops, and employed in the
service of the true God.” (Mosheim, Ecclesiastical History, Century 4,
Part 2, chap 4:1, 4) The Church of England in
the "Homily Against Peril of Idolatry,"
first published about the middle of the sixteenth century, admitted of the great
Christian apostasy. "So
that laity and clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sects, and degrees of
men, women, and children of whole Christendom-- a horrible and most dreadful
thing to think-- have been at once drowned in abominable idolatry; of all other
vices most detested of God, and most damnable to man; and that by the space of
eight hundred years and more." John Wesley, one of the
founders of Methodism, commented on the decay of the Christian faith.
Among his writings about the gifts of the Holy Ghost is found, "The
cause of this was not, as has been supposed, because there was no more occasion
for them, because all the world was become Christians.
This is a miserable mistake; not a twentieth part of it was then
nominally Christian. The real cause
of it was that the love of many, almost all Christians, so-called, was waxed
cold. The Christians had no more of
the spirit of Christ than the other heathens.
The Son of Man, when He came to examine His Church, could hardly find
faith upon earth. This was the real
cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found
in the Christian church--because the Christians were turned heathens again, and
only had a dead form left." (John
Wesley's Works, Vol. 7, 89; 26-27) For 1,260 years
not one person was to enter the kingdom of heaven.
“And there was given
unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto
him to continue forty and two months.” (Rev. 13:5)
The The Reformation
attempted to return the church to some form of its original purity.
Unfortunately, you cannot get good fruit from a bad tree.
“16 Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles? 17 a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matt. 7)
The Melchisedec Priesthood had been lost; and could only be restored
by God. This
Reformation is noted by John. “15
And he had power to give life unto the image
of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that
as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Rev.
13) Only Protestants can
fulfill this prophesy of an image of the beast.
To emphasize that the Catholic Church was Mystery, Only a heavenly
restoration of the original pure doctrines and gospel of Christ, with the
Melchisedec Priesthood, could restore the Joseph Smith
has been the only man to claim such a restoration.
His teachings are evidence of his divine calling.
Joseph was called of God, the same as Moses and Jesus before him, to the
Melchisedec Priesthood; as an Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver.
He opened a new dispensation of the gospel, restored divine authority and
the gospel, and opened the door to the kingdom of heaven. God
once again spoke with man. The Through Joseph
Smith the house of God was set in order. All
of the officers of the kingdom, that were in the church during the ministry of
Jesus and the Apostles, were called and ordained according to the law of God.
The gospel was again taken to the world.
Jesus noted, “20
…The servant is not greater than his lord.
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15)
And so they did. The
persecutions of the Mormons are some of the blackest pages in the history of
this country. They were driven from Joseph Smith
was taken into the protective custody of the governor of At the very
hour of Joseph’s death on Brigham Young, on the other
hand, claimed that Joseph’s place would never be filled.
For two and half years he tried to stand at the head of the people as
head of the twelve Apostles. He was
never ordained a Prophet (Kirtland Council
Record Book, p. 72). In
December, 1847, he admitted that only a Prophet can stand at the head of the James continued
to provide communication with God, gave the will of God through revelations,
translated the most valuable book of Scripture, and wrote hundreds of pages of
instruction on the order of the kingdom and the will of God. Sadly, the
Gentiles were to depart once again from the will of God; and the dispensation of
the gospel would be taken from them, as it had been taken from the Jews almost
two thousand years earlier. The
saints were given numerous commandments; which they failed to obey; because they
would not seek first the James was shot
by assassins on All of the
promises to the Gentiles were conditioned with an “if.”
“And if this people
will turn unto him, and repent of all their evil deeds, and no more slay the
prophets which he sendeth unto them, but will hearken unto them to do the things
which they shall speak unto them, and keep the words of the Lord, and his
commandments to do them, then will he exalt the nation and establish it.”
(Revelation of James, August 25, 1846)
The Gentiles rebelled against God and murdered both prophets.
God no longer speaks directly to the Gentiles. “4
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the
haughty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is defiled under the
inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the
ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured
the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants
of the earth are burned, and few men left.” (Isa. 24) “11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the
land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of
the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to
the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not
find it.” (Amos 8) The gospel had
been preached to the Gentiles, and the door to the kingdom of heaven opened to
them, for the last time. Jesus
prophesied, “this gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for
a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14)
The gospel was not to be accepted by the Gentiles; but rejected,
and would serve as a witness against them. Joseph Smith
and James J. Strang were not just coincidences in history; but, the fulfillment
of the plan of God to offer the approbation of the kingdom of heaven to all men
a second time before His return. But,
as in the days of Noah, men are determined to live by their own will; and in so
doing, severe the ties that bind men with God. Joseph
prophesied of the failure of the Gentile dispensation.
“28 And when the
times of the Gentiles is come in [under Joseph Smith], a light shall break forth
among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; 29
BUT THEY RECEIVE IT NOT; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their
hearts from me because of the precepts of men. 30 And in that generation shall
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 45) Jesus gave the
time. “24
And they [the Jews] shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away
captive into all nations: and This prophesy
of Jesus was fulfilled in 1967. There is to be
a very small remnant of the last
Gentile dispensation that will live to see the return of Jesus.
“8 And the daughter
of “8
And thou, O tower of the flock [James J. Strang], the strong hold of the
daughter of “25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to
Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall
be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and
shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them,
when I shall take away their sins.” ( “14
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said,
The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of
Egypt; 15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the
land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will
bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. 16 Behold, I
will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after
will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and
from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.” (Jer. 16) “37
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in
mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto
this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38 And they shall be my
people, and I will be their God: 39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for
the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an
everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them
good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from
me. 41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in
this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. 42 For thus
saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so
will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.” (Jer. 32) What will
happen to the Gentiles who expect to be caught up in an imaginary Rapture?
Paul told the Thessalonians that those who were alive at that time, and
obeyed the gospel, would be raised from their graves and meet Jesus in the
clouds. “17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
(1 Thess. 4) This was not a
reference to men living two thousand years later. The Gentiles
will suffer even as they made Jesus and the elect of God suffer.
The government
of the They settled in
On James also
offered his blood as a testimony for the gospel of Christ; and against a country
of presumed religious freedom. The
United States Steamer Michigan assisted in his murder, took his assassins to “15
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen [gentile]: as thou hast
done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen
[gentile] drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down,
and they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 1) James will also
stand as a Judge and Destroyer. “13
Arise and thresh, O daughter of The teachings
of Joseph Smith and James J. Strang are unique among all Christian churches.
They claimed a restoration of the gospel and Melchisedec Priesthood.
The order of the kingdom was the same as that established by Jesus, “Till
we all come in unity of the faith.” Their teachings were identical to
those of all the prophets of God. They
taught of the true and living God of Israel, the Melchisedec Priesthood, the
original gospel of Christ, and the law and will of God.
Their works were not just historical coincidence; as the lives of other
Christian church leaders. They had
missions that were essential to the plan of salvation.
The Gentiles had to be offered the gospel one last time.
The Bible prophesied of their works; and ecclesiastical history proves
the truth of their missions. A very small
remnant of the daughter of CLICK BELOW TO GO TO CHAPTER TWO: |