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James
J. Strang was ordained an Apostle, Prophet, Lawgiver,
and spiritual King in CHAPTER
SEVEN:
Kingdom
of The Joseph Smith
wrote to the saints from Liberty Jail, “the
rights, of the priesthood, are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven;
and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the
of righteousness, that they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but
when we undertake to cover our sins, to gratify our pride, vain ambition, or to
exercise dominion or compulsion over the souls of the children of men, in any
degree of unrighteousness; behold the heavens withdraw themselves, the Spirit of
the Lord is grieved, then amen to the priesthood, or to the authority of that
man.” (History of the Church, Vol.1, p. 31) The first
difference between the government of man and the Although the
terms the “ Abraham
preached the gospel and partook of the sacrament with Melchisedec.
“And the scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8)
“18 And Melchizedek king of Members of the
kingdom are bound by an oath to
worship only GOD, honor Jesus as their Savior, and obey the laws of the kingdom.
When there is only a spiritual kingdom, members are bound to the law of
God through voluntary submission. Punishment for rebellion and disobedience
extends only to removal from either the priesthood, or as members of the
kingdom. Such reprobation will cause
one to suffer with the spirits in prison (hell). Others who live
within the community are not bound by oath; but, are expected to voluntarily
live according to the same laws. When
the kingdom is established with a dominion, all that live within the dominion
are bound by oath to live by the law of God.
“10 And Moses
commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the
year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to
appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt
read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together,
men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that
they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe
to do all the words of this law: 13 And that their children, which have not
known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye
live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” (Deut. 31) This oath is
called the everlasting covenant; and
is given to every generation who are members of the kingdom; and to all that
live within the dominion of the kingdom. The
choice to make and live by the oath always rests upon individual members.
“9 Keep therefore
the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye
do… 12 That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into
his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: 13 That he may
establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a
God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (Deut. 29) The covenant
requires members to worship only the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, honor Jesus as their Savior, and live by the law of God.
It was given through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and in all
generations when the The everlasting
covenant was renewed every eighth of July under James.
“4. As oft as this
day returneth shall all the Saints assemble themselves together. It shall be a
holy convocation. They shall assemble in their After the death
of Moses, the covenant was renewed every seven years.
“10 And Moses
commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the
year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to
appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt
read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together,
men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that
they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe
to do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 31) The annual
renewal of the everlasting covenant was part of sacrificing and feasting after
the establishment of the dominion under James.
It was lost with his death. Members
of the kingdom today are required to renew the oath every seven years. “20.
At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year [July 8], when all
the children of the Kingdom are gathered together before the Lord in Temples,
and in Tabernacles, and all the people are assembled, Princes and Nobles, men,
and women, and children, and the stranger that dwelleth in your gates, ye shall
read this law before them all, in their hearing, and shall make it know in the
midst of them. “21.
And your children, and the strangers dwelling in your gates, that have not heart
it, shall learn this Law, and ye shall all remember it again, and shall all lift
up your hands, and shall enter into covenant with the Lord your God to keep this
Law, and to obey his statutes, that he may prolong your days upon the land.” (Book of the Law, pp. 208, 209) This
everlasting covenant was to be renewed every seven years beginning on If we take No kingdom can
stand without laws and officers to interpret, administer, and enforce those
laws. These officers have been the
same since Adam; and are to remain “Till
we all come in the unity of the faith.” Jesus organized
the kingdom with the same officers as Prophets before Him.
“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) Jesus was
called of God as an Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver like unto Moses.
“For Moses truly
said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of
your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall
say unto you.” (Acts Jesus then
called and ordained the other officers of the kingdom with divine authority to
preach the gospel and administer its saving ordinances.
“And he ordained
twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to
preach.” (Mark The gospel was
not given in word alone; but, also with power (divine authority) to administer
the ordinances of the gospel. “For
our gospel came not unto you in word
only, but also in power, and in the
Holy Ghost, and in much assurance [faith]; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5)
Through calling and ordination to the Melchisedec Priesthood, men receive
divine authority to have their ordinances recorded in heaven.
“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. 16:19) The law of God provides, “Thou
shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain:
thou shalt not usurp dominion as a ruler; for the name of the Lord thy
God is great and glorious above all other names: he is above all, and is the
only true God: the only just and
upright King over all: he alone hath the right to rule; and in his name, only he
to whom he granteth it: whosoever is not chosen of him, the same is a usurper,
and unholy: the Lord will not hold
him guiltless, for he taketh his name in vain.” (Book
of the Law, p. 20) James wrote in the Book
of the Law, “Ordination, “1.
The Scriptures, in all their parts, show very clearly that no one can lawfully
exercise any Priestly office, except he is duly called and duly consecrated to
that particular Priesthood. Though
many Priests are spoken of, and nothing said
of the manner in which they were inducted into the Priesthood; as often
as that manner is mentioned, it is shown to be a calling by the word of God, and
a setting apart by the hands of those who hold the same or superiour power.
This has been the uniform rule in every dispensation, whatever the nature
or duties of the Priesthood or calling. Kings were called by revelation,
anointed, and ordained; and those not so called, were deemed usurpers. “2. No instance is given in the oracles of God of
men, for want of a valid Priesthood, selecting one among themselves, and
elevating him to be their Priest, and thus conferring on him a true Priesthood.
On the contrary, God has instituted a Priesthood by direct revelation,
and the ministration of Angels,
as often as the Priesthood, or the superiour grade of
it, was lost on earth.” (Book of
the Law, pp. 164, 165) James wrote, “1.
By the first Commandment God establishes a government among men, which he makes
supreme in all things. But as every
government, besides laws and the sovereign power whence they emanate, must also
have officers by whom the laws shall be administered; so those officers must
derive their authority from the sovereign, in legal form. “2. All officers act in the name of him from whom
they de-rive their authority. In
the several American States the official acts of most State officers are done
“in the name of the people of the State.” “3. Officers of the Federal Government, act ‘in
the name of the “4. It therefore appears that to act in the name of
any one, is to act by his authority; and to act in the name of God, is to act by
his authority. “5. Hence taking the name of God in vain, is taking
his authority without being authorized; it is attempting to govern, without
being called to that office; in any matter wherein God has declared a law, and
appointed an administrator of the law. “6. It follows, therefore, that every form of
government among men, which was not instituted of God, is a usurpation, (Zech.
xiv, 9, 17, Dan. ii, 44. vii, 14. Rev. xi, 15,) and that every exercise of the
proper functions of government under it, is a taking of the name of God in vain,
as every exercise of functions not proper to government, is tyranny. “7. Priests made by the authority of man, and not
called of God; Priests who constantly profess to have received no dispensation
from God, and who deny that he has revealed himself to any for eighteen hundred
years, do constantly administer in his name, as boldly as though they were sent
by him. “8. They baptize in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; they go
about doing works in the assumed power and might of God’s ministers, of whom
Jesus Christ said, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.’ (Matt vii, 23.) “9. He did not deny that they had preached,
prophesied, or worked miracles in his name.
He denounced them as workers of iniquity, because they were unknown to
him; that is, were not his ministers. They
took God’s name in vain. “10. God has appointed a door to the priesthood; a
call of God by revelation, and an ordaining by the hands of his ministers; (Heb.
v, 4. Ex. xxviii, l. 1st Tim. iv, 14. Acts vii, 35;) and Christ declares that he
that comes not in by the door, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a
robber. (John x, 1.)” (Book of the Law,
pp. 20, 21) Those ministers
of sectarian Christianity who are not called of God by the spirit of prophesy
and ordained by one holding that office; and who hold none of the offices
established by God, will not have their works recorded in heaven.
“22 Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock [revelation].” Matt. 7) There are only two
orders of the priesthood in the There are two
basic divisions within the Melchisedec Priesthood.
Evangelical authority only
holds divine authority to preach the gospel and administer its ordinances.
The twelve Apostles only held authority to ordain evangelical High
Priests. “It
is the duty of the Twelve, in all large branches of the church, to ordain
evangelical ministers, as they shall be designated unto them by revelation.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, 107:39) An
evangelical High Priest only holds authority to ordain other evangelical High
Priests and (evangelical) Elders. Elders
are commanded “to ordain
other [evangelical] elders, priests, teachers, and deacons.” (Doctrine and Covenants, 20:39) Royal
authority (presiding and standing authority) represents the government
of the kingdom. The Prophet
stands at the head of all royal authority on the earth.
All presiding and royal authority exists only under the direction of the
Prophet, who is the President of the church; and has direct communication with
God. It is only given through one who stands higher in royal authority.
“2. Whosoever is
called by the voice of God to the royal authority, shall be anointed and
ordained by the hands of those who stand in royal authority above him:
but he that is first, by the angels of God.”
(Book of the Law, p. 163) Joseph
and James both stood as first degree Apostles and Lawgivers and were therefore
ordained at the hands of angels who held that authority during mortal life.
Jesus was ordained to the highest office under the hands of the Father
(Heb. 5:5). In the kingdom
of God the Legislative, executive, and
judicial powers are all vested in a first degree Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver.
“91 And again, the
duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over
the whole church, and to be like unto Moses--92 Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to
be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God
which he bestows upon the head of the church.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, 107) James wrote
concerning the office of Lawgiver, “1.
There is no word in language which properly expresses the varied duties of this
Priesthood. It is the greatness of
the everlasting [Melchisedec] Priesthood; and has all the gifts, and all the
keys conferred on man. It is so full
of itself that it carries the Church of God with it, and can both institute and
act in place of every other Priesthood.” (Book
of the Law, pp. 214, 214) Lawgivers hold
both spiritual and royal authority in the The U. S.
Constitution provides for a division
of power between the three branches of the government.
The legislative power of the Only a first
degree Apostle has power over all three of these branches of the kingdom.
He also maintains evangelical authority and duties.
James traveled extensively preaching the gospel; and left a treasure of
writings on the gospel and the As President
and King, he stands at the head of the executive
branch. He also stands at the
head of the judicial branch of the
kingdom. The High Council stands in
the kingdom similar to the Supreme Court in the “9
The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is
appointed by revelation, and acknowledged in his administration by the voice of
the church. 10 And it is according to the dignity of his office that he should
preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted
by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was
appointed. 11 And in case of the absence of one or both of those who are
appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an
assistant; and in case he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to
preside in his stead, both or either of them… 18 In all cases the accuser and
the accused shall have a privilege of speaking for themselves before the
council, after the evidences are heard and the councilors who are appointed to
speak on the case have finished their remarks. 19 After the evidences are heard,
the councilors, accuser and accused have spoken, the president
shall give a decision according to the understanding which he shall
have of the case, and call upon the twelve councilors to sanction the same by
their vote… 23 In case of difficulty respecting doctrine or principle, if
there is not a sufficiency written to make the case clear to the minds of the
council, the president may inquire and obtain the mind of the Lord by
revelation.” (Ibid., 102:9) A primary
difference between the handling of cases in the kingdom is that it is the duty
of every member to first make their best effort to resolve any conflict.
Transgressions of a member of the kingdom are not for public
dissemination. “88
And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him
or her and thee alone; and if he or she confess thou shalt be reconciled. 89 And
if he or she confess not thou shalt deliver him or her up unto the church, not
to the members, but to the elders. And
it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.” (Ibid., 42)
Jesus gave the same law, “15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matt. 18)
If there is a real offense, the offender must be labored with.
It is required of all members in the kingdom to love their brethren and
to forgive. Disputations are
resolved at the earliest opportunity. The first High
Council was organized on James J. Strang
organized the High Council at a conference on Other lower
courts were established for hearing cases in the hope of an early resolution.
Moses tried to hear all cases; but, was burdened by such.
His father-in-law Jethro—a High Priest—assisted in organizing various
judges as “rulers of
thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
(Ex. 18). With the
organization of the High Council, if a defendant was not satisfied with a
decision, he had the right to appeal to the High Council.
Many of the cases heard were appealed from lower courts.
Some lower courts were organized under Joseph before the High Council.
He noted, “I have
never set before any council in all the order in which a council ought to be
conducted, which, perhaps, has deprived the council of some, or many blessings.
He said that no man was capable of judging a matter in council without
his heart was pure, and that we frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have
a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions… Our
acts are recorded, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we
should fail to judge right and injure our fellow beings, they may there,
perhaps, condemn us; then they are of great consequence, and to me the
consequence appears to be of force beyond anything which I am able to express
&c. Ask yourselves, brethren, how much you have exercised yourselves in
prayer since you heard of this council; and if you are now prepared to sit in
judgment upon the soul of your brother… doubtless some errors have been
committed.” (Ibid., pp. 22, 25) Most cases were
resolved simply by bringing the disputing parties together; and understanding
the disputation between them. In the
Introduction to the Far West Record it is noted, “it
should be pointed out that whatever the charge, a humble confession was, almost
without exception, rewarded with forgiveness and the hand of fellowship without
any period of waiting.” One Elder under
Joseph had rebelled and joined the Methodists.
At the The
organization of the “If
any of these facts be lacking the individual concerned is not cut off from the
church nor his standing therein in any way affected. The vote of excommunication
in such case would be utterly void, and the church have nothing to do but to
disregard it. It is not even necessary to appeal from it, for the judgment being
a mere nullity there is nothing to appeal from.” (Voree
Herald, Vol. 1, No. 3, p. 11) Through such a
strict system of justice, there is no allowance for injustice.
The first rule of order is for anyone that feels offended to make every
effort to resolve the difficulty between the parties involved.
Brotherly love and labor must be extensively used prior to any court
action. Apostle John E. Page wrote, “BEAR
WITH ONE ANOTHER.--Paul says, ‘Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ.’ I will add, bear ye each other's weaknesses, and
so show yourselves saints and men of fortitude, that are not discouraged at
trifles. Remember, the All standing
(royal) authority in the government of the kingdom emanates from the Presidency
(the President and Councilors, if called). No
person is authorized to rule in any
capacity; except under the direction of the Presidency.
“10 High priests
after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate in their
own standing, under the direction of the
presidency, in administering spiritual things, and also in the office of an
elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member… 33 The
Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the
Lord, under the direction of the
Presidency of the Church, agreeable to the institution of heaven; to build
up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations, first
unto the Gentiles and secondly unto the Jews.” (Ibid., 107) In the interim between Lawgivers a second degree Apostle and Prophet may be called to hold divine authority over the executive, judicial, and evangelical activities of the kingdom. Only a second degree Apostle can stand at the head in the absence of a Lawgiver (Book of the Law, p. 219). He has no legislative authority; and cannot give revelations and commandments to the kingdom. Joshua succeeded Moses in this capacity. Only first and second degree Apostles are Prophets of God. Second
degree Apostles and Prophets were called by direct revelation and ordained
by the first degree Apostle. With
the President they represent the Presidency
of the church. “2
Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and
ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder [first degree
Apostle] of this church; 3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an
apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder [second degree Apostle] of this
church, and ordained under his hand.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, 20) When
there is no Prophet (either first, or
second degree Apostle), there is no legal
government of the kingdom; as only evangelical authority remains.
Dozens of articles in official church journals notes this rule. “You
know, or rather ought to know, (unless you are given over entirely to the powers
of blackness and darkness forever) that the law and faith of the church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, is, that the church cannot exist, as the church
of Christ, without a prophet, seer, revelator, and translator, at its militant
head.” (Zion’s Reveille, Vol. 2, No. 8, p. 29/81; Vol. 2. No. 9,
p. 32/84) “The
Lord of heaven never did, nor does not now, nor never will know the The third
is the superior office of King; which is a Prophet of God, standing as the highest authority over the people.
This can be either a first degree Apostle, such as Moses, or a second
degree Apostle, such as Joshua. Moses
placed a part of his authority upon Joshua.
“22 And Moses did as
the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the
priest, and before all the congregation: 23 And he laid his hands upon him, and
gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.” (Num. 27)
As Joshua stood below Moses, but was to stand at the head of the
people in the Melchisedec Priesthood after the death of Moses, he had to hold
the office of second degree Apostle. James taught that the superior
Kingly office is an appendage to that of Prophet.
First and second degree Apostles both holds the office of King.
“3. The Kingly
office has oftenest been merely an appendage of the Prophetick.
When not possessed of a dominion, it can exercise no civil prerogative,
except by voluntary submission.” (Book
of the Law, P. 178) The fourth
is referred to as the inferior office of
King; as he is not a Prophet. They
hold the office of High Priest.
These are called of God through a Prophet of God.
They can also be removed from the office by a Prophet of God; as in the
case of Saul. The inferior Kings in All Prophets of
God also hold the spiritual office of King.
Jesus and Joseph Smith only held the office of spiritual King.
Their ruling authority came through the voluntary submission of the
people to the law of God; and to their spiritual royal authority. After the death
of Joshua, the Lord called Prophet Judges to conduct all of the affairs of “20
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and
fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and
God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the
space of forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them
David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found
David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my
will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Joseph Smith
and James J. Strang were Apostles, Prophets, and Lawgivers.
This office includes all other offices in the kingdom.
They were both spiritual Kings in William Marks
wrote of Joseph secretly introducing a
kingly form of government with Princes. Officers
in the The first
dominion in the last days was not to go to Joseph; but to James.
The prophet Micah prophesied of the first dominion of the kingdom in the
last days under James, its fall, the scattering of the saints, and the final
gathering of the worthy. “8
And thou, O tower of the flock [James J. Strang], the strong hold of the
daughter of James J. Strang was
evidently called as spiritual King at the same time of his ordination as
Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver. In
verse six he was called by revelation in 1850, to be a civil King with dominion.
“6.
He hath chosen his servant James to be King: he hath made him his Apostle to all
nations: he hath established him a
Prophet, above the Kings of the earth; and appointed him King in “7.
And the Angel of the Lord stretched forth his hand unto him, and touched his
head, and put oil upon him, and said, Grace is poured upon thy lips, and God
blesseth thee with the greatness of the everlasting Priesthood.
He putteth might, and glory, and majesty upon thee; and in meekness, and
truth, and righteousness, will he prosper thee. [Ordination of James]” (Book
of the Law, p. 169) James became
the President and King of the spiritual
kingdom on At the death of
James on Five of the
Apostles--L. D. Hickey, L. D. Tubbs, J. Pearce, J. Hutchins, and W. Post--were
finally able to get together on The
legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the kingdom were lost—only
the evangelical branch remained. Without
communication with God through the Presidency, no other Apostles could be
called. The Apostles did hold
authority to ordain evangelical High Priests and Elders.
“It is the duty of
the Twelve, in all large branches of the church, to ordain evangelical
ministers, as they shall be designated unto them by revelation.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, 107:39) Elders
had authority to call and ordain other Elders. Wingfield
Watson wrote to Milo M. Quaife on The
government of the kingdom was lost. The
evangelical branch of the kingdom remains. James
ordained L. D. Hickey an Apostle, who ordained Wingfield Watson a High Priest,
who ordained Samuel Martin a High Priest, who ordained Lloyd Flanders a High
Priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an Elder.
There are also other Elders remaining true to the original organization
of the kingdom. As long as one Elder
of the Melchisedec Priesthood remains, the kingdom of God, and the opportunity
for confirmation into the kingdom, remains.
The good news of the gospel is still being preached by those holding
divine authority, unbelievers are becoming members of the kingdom, the law of
God is being taught, and the greatest approbation ever given to man is open to
the repentant: the Sabbath of
Creation and eternity in the Celestial Kingdom of God. “2. Speaking of the King who shall rule in this
Kingdom, David says, ‘They shall fear thee as long as sun and moon endure,
throughout all generations.’ ‘He
shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the
earth.’ (Ps. lxxii, 5, 8.) “3. To this many Prophets have borne witness; that,
in the latter days, God would gather CLICK BELOW TO GO TO CHAPTER SEVEN: |