THE SECOND COMFORTER: PART 2

In this episode we discuss further the doctrines pertaining to the Second Comforter and Calling and Election. For one to be brought back into the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, we must feel what they feel, love as they love, and most importantly, we must do what they do. The Gathering of Israel encompasses the work of the Savior Jesus Christ. As we participate in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man we gain the glory necessary to be brought back into Their presence.

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Email: tia@thinningoftheveil.com

CITATIONS:

John 17

Neil L Andersen, “The Voice of the Lord”, Oct. 2017: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-voice-of-the-lord?lang=eng

David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart”, Oct. 2007: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/10/clean-hands-and-a-pure-heart?lang=eng

(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 1:762). New Testament Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, Unit 16, Day 2: John 17

Robert D. Hales, “Eternal Life—to Know Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ”, Oct. 2014: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/10/eternal-life-to-know-our-heavenly-father-and-his-son-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Doctrine & Covenants 67:13-14

Moses 5:4-8

Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation”, Oct. 2021: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng

Wendy Nelson, “Open the Heavens through Temple and Family History Work”, Ensign, October 2017: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2017/10/open-the-heavens-through-temple-and-family-history-work?lang=eng

Russell M. Nelson, “Let Us All Press On”, April 2018: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/let-us-all-press-on?lang=eng

3 Nephi 24:1

3 Nephi 27:19

D&C 84:23-24

Revelation 7:13-17

Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again”, October 2024: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/57nelson?lang=eng

Alma 41:5

Alma 45:32 

REVELATION 17:14

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:11

Hello, friends. Welcome to the Thinning of the Valve podcast. I'm your host, Tia Smith, and we made it to a Thursday, which is not normal for us, but I promised that I would try to get uh the second comforter part two out. And so here we sit. Um, it's been a lot of flurry behind the scenes, but I felt it I needed to get this out as soon as possible while part one was on your mind because when we're talking about the second comforter, there's actually so many things that are pointing us to it, so many things that we can understand, so many doctrines that are out there. Uh, so I wanted to kind of do it as close together as I could so you could really get a whole picture instead of just half a picture of what we're trying to study. Just an FYI on Tuesday. I'm having a special guest come on. He is going to be talking about some of the doctrines and principles that we're going to be talking about today and how he implemented them and how that changed the way he gathered Israel and it increased his thinning of the bell experiences. The way that he uh has looked at those on the other side, and the relationship that he has with them has just truly been miraculous and remarkable. He's one of my favorite people, Bryson Newswander, and he is one of my YSA Institute students. So I always love it when we can hear from these young people because they have such wisdom in the way that they're living the gospel. And so look forward to that on Tuesday, kind of as uh an addition to and testimony of this process that we're going to talk about today. In John chapter 17, verse 3, I want you to remember this, sear this scripture into your memory for this episode. It says, and because this is the definition that the savior gives about calling election. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. So that is the very quintessential definition that the Savior gave about eternal life and the second comforter. Eternal life is to know God and the Savior. That's having your calling election made sure. So remember, just keep that in mind as we're going through this because that scripture is going to pop up quite a bit in this episode. Now, I don't know how many of you remember this particular talk given by Neil L. Anderson called The Voice of the Lord, October 2017. But it was remarkable for a lot of different reasons. Uh, preface this with Elder Hells was sick in the hospital. And right before he gave this talk, he passed away. But he um there was Elder Hells facing the end of his mortality, gave these three words, these words to be read and wrote down for everyone to hear, all members of the church that were listening that day and who now even currently read it, uh, know what Elder Hells was trying to lift our sights and minds to. Now, this is Neil L. Anderson. He says, Because we have an extra minute, I would like to just add a brief reflection about Elder Robert D. Hills. The first presidency had told Elder Hills that he could give a brief message in the Sunday morning session if his health permitted it. While his health did not permit it, he prepared a message which he finished last week and shared with me. Giving his passing approximately three hours ago, I shared just three lines from his talk. I don't know if that was the first time where an actual testimony of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ was read three hours after he passed. So you can imagine what his mind it was on. And this is what Elder Hills wanted to be his last statement to the church. When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God. After the Savior's crucifixion, he appeared only to those who had been faithful in their testimony of him while they lived in mortality. Those who rejected the testimonies of the prophets could not behold the Savior's presence, nor look upon his face. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of the Lord. That was his final message to the church. That was what he wanted us to hear from his own mouth. That was his testimony that our faith prepares us to be in the presence of the Lord. So we're going to study today what how we can be in the presence of the Lord or a second comforter experience. Because if we can study the patterns, then we can have faith in the invitation from not only Elder Hills, but it's all over in the scriptures. Our own current prophet has invited us to be prepared to be in the presence of the Lord. So we're going to study a little bit more today on that specific principle or doctrine. Now, David A. Bednar says the Savior also taught that people come unto him through sacred covenants, and he reminded them that they were the children of the covenant. He emphasized the internal importance of the ordinances of baptism and of receiving the Holy Ghost, so doctrine of Christ. He follows, in a similar manner, you and I are admonished to turn toward and learn from Christ and to come unto him through the covenants and ordinances of his restored gospel. As we do so, we will eventually and ultimately come to know him. And he referenced John 17, verse 3, in his own time and in his own way and according to his own will, as did the people in the land of bountiful. As we step our foot on the covenant path, as we learn and begin and to implement the doctrine of Christ, says David A. Bednar, eventually it turns us to him, and we actually learn from Christ, not just about Christ. And then he says, if we do that, we eventually will ultimately come to know him, as did the people in the land of bountiful. Now let's try to remember how did the people in the land of bountiful experience the Savior? He was there with them in body, they were able to feel the prince uh in his hands, in his side. They were they were able to hug them, they prayed together, they wept together, they had joy together. And Elder Bednar is saying that this covenant path and covenantal relationship will bring us to a point that we will know him and experience him as they did in Third Nephi. It is a quite a hopeful invitation for us to participate in our calling election that we may have that experience of the second comforter as the people did in the land of bountiful. Now, this is taken from, this next quote is taken from a student guide for seminary students. And so you, this is for the young people. And this is what it says. I'm going to read exactly what it says because I think the instructions in it are also very telling. From John chapter 17, verse 3. There's that uh pointing us to that scripture again. We learned the following truth. To receive eternal life, we must come to know Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And then it says, read the following statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and mark what he said it means to know the Father and the Son. Again, this is specifically for seminary students. Our young children, our people, our kids who are in the beginning stages of forming their testimonies. The manual is pointing them to understand what it means to receive eternal life, what it means to come to know them, what it means to have a be in pursuit of making your calling election sure. And it says, mark this, please mark this. It says, mark what he said, it means to know the father and the son. It is one thing to know about God and another to know him. We know about him when we learn that he is a personal being in whose image man is created, and we learn that the son is in the express image of his father's person, when we learn that the father and the son both possess certain specified attributes and powers. But we know them in the sense of gaining eternal life, calling election, when we enjoy and experience the same things they do. To know God is to think what he thinks, to feel what he feels, to have the power he possesses, to comprehend the truths he understands, and to do what he does. Those who know God become like him and have this kind of life, which is eternal life. So therein is the crux of the matter, my friends. We must be able to know what God is thinking, we must be able to feel what God is feeling, we must be able to possess the powers that God possesses, we must be able to comprehend the truths that He understands, and finally, we must do what He does. That is how we have our client election made sure. That is how we have a second comforter experience. So how do we do that? Well, we can look at the patterns. So what is part of the patterns of coming into his presence? And we learned some in part one, episode 50, well, a couple days ago. Now we're gonna further learn and add to the principles and doctrines that we learned in episode number one. Elder Robert D. Hills, in answer to that question, what is the pattern of coming into his presence? Thinking about what Elder McConkie just said, we must feel what he feels, we must love as they love, and we must do what they do. Robert Hills said this. I testify that we that when we do what is necessary to know them and know their love for one another, we will obtain the greatest of all the gifts of God, even eternal life. So again, we're being invited to know, just not only know about. He he uh comments further, for this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. How can this gift be ours? It comes through a matter of personal revelation. Heeding the first comforter takes us to the second comforter. And then he says, Can we see a pattern in these scriptures that testifies of the Father and the Son as distinct individuals and beings? How then are they one? So we know that they're two distinct beings, the Father and the Son. So how can we say that they're one? And then he answers, not because they are the same person, but because they are unified in purpose, equally dedicated to bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ are one because their work is the same, their purpose is the same. What is that purpose? To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. How do we become like God? How do we know them? How do we know how they know or know what they know and feel what they feel and love the way they love? The answer is pretty simple. In our own lives, we must also be very diligent about bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our eye must be single to that glory. If we want to uh have eternal life, which is knowing God and being in his presence. Let's examine further some of the patterns of coming into his presence. And this is temple language again, and which is what we studied in the last episode. So I'm going to further study it because the temple experience is instructionary on how we come to be in his presence. In Doctrine Covenant 67, verse 13, it says, You are not able to abide the presence of God now. So we're mortal men. Mortal men are enemies to God. We cannot, we are Adam and Eve were forced out of their presence. Question is, how do we come back? So verse 13 of Doctrine Covenant 67 says, You're not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels, wherefore continue in patience until you are perfected. So we part of the pattern is that we must be able to abide the presence of ministering angels. And we must continue in that until we can actually abide the presence of God. Now in verse 14, it says, Let not your minds turn back. Don't give up. And when you are worthy, and the citation for that is qualifying for priesthood, so we're starting to understand again this is priesthood temple language. Let not your minds turn back. Don't disbelieve. My children, don't disbelieve. I know that you are striving to abide the presence of the angels, and I know you're striving to abide the presence of me. But be patient. Let not your minds turn back, and when you are worthy, in mine own due time, ye shall see and know that which was conferred upon you by the hands of my servant Joseph Smith Jr. Amen. So if we are having thinning of the veil experiences from ministering angels or messengers from the other side of the veil, those are preparatory for us preparing us to be in the presence of God or the second comforter experience. I rejoice in those mile markers that I can take and say, okay, am I experiencing the presence of the ministering of angels? Am I seeing and knowing that process? Am I believing? Is my mind not disbelief in disbelief of these things? Okay, then we're on that covenant path towards being the presence of God. Now let's examine this ministering of angels further. Moses chapter 5, verse 4 starts with and Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not, for they were shut out of his presence. Again, being shut out of God's presence, you can hear the voice of God, but they've been shut out, the natural man. Okay? Verse 5, and he gave unto them commandments 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. Does God want us to be shut out of his presence? No. Remember, that's his work is to bring us back. So he gives us commandments that we must obey, laws that need to be obeyed for what end purpose that we may be brought back into their presence. Now let's visit verse 6 of Moses 5. And after many days an angel, and the citation on that says, See also angels, uh ministering angels and messenger. After many days an angel or a messenger of the Lord came unto Adam, saying, Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him, I know not, save the Lord commanded me. So Adam is having a preparatory thinning of the veil experience from a ministering angel or a messenger of a messenger from God appearing unto him. And what does he do? He he commands them to offer sacrifices. Now let's look a little bit about that angel part though, because I want to ex I want to examine that just a little bit more. And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying, Okay, now listen to what President Russell M. Nelson said. And to each of you who has made temple covenants, I plead with you to seek prayerfully and consistent consistently to understand temple covenants and ordinances. Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God's angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven. Part of the rending of the veil is having angels to attend you. As was just commented on in Moses 5, verse 6. Angels attending to you, angels appearing unto you are preparatory. That is part of the pattern. Now let's examine why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? Because that is what the messenger came to teach and point to. And then watch what happens. It is my testimony that when we show the Lord we are serious about helping our ancestors, the heavens will open and we will receive all that we need. Why dost thou offer sacrifices? Because I want the heavens to open. What is the sacrifice, according to Sister Nelson and uh President Nelson and all the others? Part of the sacrifice is the time that you spend doing temple and family history work. And then the angel spake, saying, Now, listen to that in light of the quote that we just read. I entreat you to make a sacrifice of time to the Lord by increasing the time you spend doing temple and family history work. Now listen to what the angel responds to Adam's, I know not, say the Lord commanded me. This is the reason. And the angel spake, saying, This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the only begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. Why do we offer sacrifices? Because it is a pattern that the Lord is going to sacrifice himself. How do we become to know how do we come to know him? To do what he does, to sacrifice as he sacrificed. Now the reality is our sacrifice pales in comparison to his sacrifice. But the pattern is nonetheless the same. We should be watching for messengers. That is commanded in the temple to Adam and Eve to watch for. Part of being brought back into the presence of God, part of the second comforter experience, through the sacrifice that you're making, bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. In our day, that looks like gathering Israel. All right, let's look at a further pattern to return to God's presence. We'll return back to that seminary student manual. And this was the invitation. The Savior taught about the importance of knowing Heavenly Father and Him. As you study John chapter 17, which we're going to today, look for truths or doctrines or principles that will help you follow the path that will in time lead you to not only better know about, but also better come to better know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Again, this is the process of wanting to know who they are, feeling what they feel, doing what they do. Here is another piece to the puzzle of Second Comforter. Listen, after the Last Supper, the Savior walked with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. Before they reached the garden, Jesus paused to offer a prayer. It is traditionally known as their intercessory prayer. One meaning of the word intercede is to speak to someone in behalf of another person. In this case, Jesus Christ spoke to Heavenly Father in behalf of his disciples, pleading that they might receive eternal life. Jesus Christ, in the intercessory prayer before the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed for his disciples to have eternal life, or prayed that their calling election would be made sure. Now here is a question. Are we offering intercessory prayers on behalf of our dead? I've discussed this in previous episodes. This principle of offering intercessory prayers for those on the other side of the bell and asking Heavenly Father who needs help. Lead me to those who need help. Well, it is always answered. But I would say more quickly than other kinds of prayer. And I know that a lot of you are offering those intercessory prayers. And I know a lot of you, because you're sending me emails about it, are receiving answers of who needs help on the other side of the bell in lots of different ways and in lots of different forms. That is what Bryson is going to talk about on Tuesday's podcast is this principle of offering an intercessory prayer. Now, listen to Russell M. Nelson because then it goes even further. This general conference marks the beginning of a new era of ministering. Now, remember, we just talked about ministering angels, and that's part of the pattern of receiving the second comforter. Preparatory experiences for the thinning of the veil. He follows the Lord has made important adjustments in the way we care for each other. We're supposed to care as they care, brothers and sisters. He then says, Sisters and brothers, old and young, will serve one another in a new, holier way. And then he says, Our message to the world is simple and sincere. Listen to what he says. We invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the Holy Temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life. In that moment, President Nelson brought the two worlds together as one. He is the prophet for them. His testimony is echoing on the other side of the veil. The adjustments are to care for one another. How do we care for those on the other side? Well, the message matters. He testified to both sides of the veil and invited them to come unto their Savior and receive the blessings of the Holy Temple, have enduring joy and qualify for eternal life. Now, how do we take this principle of an intercessory prayer and combine that with a testifying to those on the other side of the veil as President Nelson patterned? I've told this story again, but it's in the very beginning, so I want to repeat it for my new listeners. A worker in the temple, in the very beginning, when I was just starting out my gathering of Israel efforts, said to me, If you will bear your testimony to those who you are doing work for, it will make all the difference. It will change the way you worship, it will change the way you see, and you will feel them and know who they are. That changed everything. As I began to offer intercessory prayers, and as I began to testify to those whose names I was doing, I understood them. My sister on the other side, I understood her better, I understood the way she was feeling. Remember, better, not only better know about, but also come to know. One meaning of the word intercede is to speak to someone on behalf of another person. It is traditionally known as the intercessory prayer. And Jesus himself pleaded and prayed on behalf of his disciples on both sides of the veil, pleading that they might receive eternal life. You see, because our family members, just because they pass, they are not brought immediately into the presence of the Savior. All laws must be complied with, whether living or dead. Now, I want to chap, um, I want to study just in depth a little bit chapter 17, the whole chapter, because I want you to see the pattern that reveals itself in this great intercessory prayer chapter. And think of that within the calling of becoming one with our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, and gaining eternal life and having that second comforter experience. Because the Savior lays it out in black and white. That is important. You gain glory as you gain eternal life, or as you make your calling election sure. It then says he prays for his apostles and all the saints. We are going to hear from the Savior Himself right before the great sacrifice, what was on his mind, and how the Father and the Son are one. In verse 1, it says, These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come. Glorify thy son, that thy son also may glorify thee. In the sacrifice we gain glory, both to ourselves, but also to the Father and the Son. Verse two, as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. That's election. Verse three, and this is life eternal, that they might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. The reason why we are given the gift of eternal life or having our calling and election made sure is that we might know God and his son Jesus Christ. And this is what Jesus is praying about right before the sacrificial work of the atonement and the resurrection. This was the prayer. Verse 4: I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. How was the Father glorified by the Son? By finishing the work which the Father gave the Son to do. What is the work that the Father and the Son have given us to do? Moses 139, bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Now, verse 5 says, And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. So in 5 and 6, there's this foreordination principle that's running through that. That we have been given to the Savior by the Father, because we proved in the pre-existence that we that was what our heart's desire was. We gained and attained to a certain glory before we even came here, as the Savior did. Now, verse 7 says, Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8. For I have given unto them the words or revelation, that's the citation, which thou gavest me, and they have received them. The elect, my friends, hear his voice. They hear the voice through the first comforter of the Savior, and then they continue to hear his voice until they actually are in the presence of Jesus Christ and hear them from his own mouth. You hear the words of Christ through the Holy Ghost, through ministering angels. So you can start seeing all of these principles and patterns that we've been talking about are starting to come together in full in this intercessory prayer. Now, verse 9, I pray for them. The Savior is praying for us, you and me. And that is a very strengthening thought. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou. The citation to that is high priests, so we get temple language in there, hast given me, for they are thine. I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Now let's think of our own intercessory prayer on behalf of our ancestors. Are we praying for them? Are we praying for them that the Father and the Son has given us to try and save? That intercessory prayer on behalf of ancestors matters. That intercessory prayer matters so much so that it is included in the pattern to receiving our calling election being made sure. Verse 10, because remember, this is life eternal to know, this is how we come to know. Verse 10, and all are mine, are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. We are glorified in our ancestors as we save them. Verse 11, and now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are. Remember that? How are they one? They are unified in purpose, equally dedicated to bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, says Robert D. Hills. That is the goal is to becoming like they are. How do we do that? We unify around their purpose and work. And that's the encouragement of the Savior in this intercessory prayer. Now, verse 12, while I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name. Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost. The finishing of the work is that God's sons and daughters are not lost. Now think of that in the in the context of the work of salvation, the most important work taking place on the earth today. Joseph Smith echoes the prisoners shall go free. But thou, but those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost. What about the ones that are assigned to us? Have we kept them? Have we saved them from being lost? It's a question we must constantly ask ourselves. But the son of perdition that the scripture might be fulfilled. And remember, don't get overwhelmed because the the God of the heavens is praying that we will succeed, that we will have the powers and spiritual gifts and miracles and visitations necessary that none shall be lost. Verse 13, and now I come to thee, and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. Now remember how great shall be your joy if you bring souls unto me. That's doctrine covenants. The joy is in the work. The becoming one is in the work. And I have given them thy word, and the world hath hath hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Do you think the Savior knew thousands of years ago that we were going to be hated by the world because of our belief in saving the sons and daughters of God? Well, he prayed for us even for that. Verse 15, I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Verse 17, Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth. In John chapter 18, it says, Everyone that is of truth heareth my voice. There is sanctification in hearing the voice of God. Verse 18, and as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. We have been sent by our Savior and our Heavenly Father to become a Savior upon Mount Zion in these latter days. Verse 19, and for the say for their sakes, for the saviors on Mount Zion's sakes, I sanctify myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth. How were we sanctified? How were we as saviors on Mount Zion sanctified? By his sacrifice. How can we bring sanctification into our own life and the lives of our ancestors? By doing the work, by allowing them to make covenants and ordinances with God. Now, verse 20, neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. Bear your testimony to your ancestors. Are we imparting our word or testimony to those who we are to save? That was part of the pattern that the Savior instituted in his lifetime. We must also bear our testimony to those who we were sent to save, and it doesn't matter what side of the veil they're on. Verse 21, that thou all may be that they all may be one, as thou father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one with us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. We are to become the sons of God, that's in Moses. We are to become one with our Father and our Savior. That is the end goal, that's the second comforter experience. Verse 22, and the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one even as we are one. It is necessary, my friends, that we have glory equal to the Father and the Son. Not just in the celestial world, but even now when we are attempting to attain to the second comforter experience, we must have a certain level of glory. How do we gain glory? Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. How do we become one? Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Now, verse 23 says, I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them and as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. That second comforter. In Doctor and Covenants 45, verse 44, it says, And then they shall look for me, and behold, I will come, and they shall see me in the clouds of heaven, clothed with power and great glory, with all the holy angels. He is pleading to the Father on our behalf that we may attain to the glory necessary. That is the prayer of the Son to the Father. 25. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known thee that thou hast sent me. The Savior is acknowledging that we know the Father and the Son as we perform the work that we've been assigned to do. Verse 26, last one, and I have declared unto them, which is a witness or you bearing of testimony. Now think of that in context of your own intercessory prayer on behalf of your ancestors. So again, there's that beautiful principle of bearing testimony. And President Nelson has made it very, very clear, it doesn't matter what side of the veil you're on, we must be where bearing witness and testimony to them. I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me be may be in them and I in them. That is how they make our abode with us. You see the principle of bearing testimony to your ancestors on the other prayer, the principle of uh the intercessory prayer, the doctrine of the gathering, uh, the doctrine of sacrifice bringing sanctification, the invitation to be saviors upon Mount Zion, the importance of listening to the first comforter. All of that is weaved into this beautiful intercessory prayer that was offered right before the atoning sacrifice. In John chapter 17, verse 3, we're gonna again read and this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Now, the citation to sent is Jesus Christ, messenger of the Lord. of the covenant. Now let's read 3 Nephi 24 verse 1. And this is the people in the land of bountiful, as referenced by Elder Bednar. And it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi. The scripture was so important that the Savior commanded that this scripture be written and put in their records, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them saying So this is the expounding of the commandment given to the Father for this particular verse. Thus said the Father unto Malachi Behold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom ye shall seek shall suddenly come to his temple even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts can you be given the title of messenger are you a messenger of the covenant? Are you offering the intercessory prayer and bearing witness to those on the other side of the veil and bringing the message that the covenant matters. Where do these messengers come? They come to the temple and they bear testimony of Jesus Christ making covenants and performing ordinances that they also may become one with the Savior. So every time you do a name I have been a messenger of the covenant to Dolly Sheeler. I have been a messenger of the covenant to Sarah Jen de Geer. I've been a messenger of the covenant to Phoebe Banks and on and on and on we must evaluate are we a messenger of the covenant? The messengers come to temples that is life eternal third Nephi chapter 27 verse 19 says and no unclean thing can enter his kingdom therefore nothing nothing entereth into his rest what does rest mean in that verse Doctor and Covenants 84 verses 23 and 24 says now this Moses plainly taught the children of Israel in the wilderness and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God. This is a second comforter experience that Moses is trying to get all of the elders in Israel to participate in 24 but they hardened their hearts what is the hardening of the heart the reference to that is unbelief in part and could not endure his presence therefore the Lord in his wrath for his anger was kindled against them swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness which rest is the fullness of his glory the Lord was inviting the children of Israel to make covenants and endowments be endowed with power from on high in the temple and that was going to allow them to be in the fullness of his glory that was going to be allowing them to have the second comforter experience and their unbelief made it so they couldn't now let's read the rest of that verse and no unclean thing can enter his kingdom therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood because of their faith and the repentance of all their sins and their faithfulness until the end What is washed This was the scripture reference Revelation seven verses thirteen through seventeen and one of the elders answered saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they said unto them, Sir thou knowest, and he said to me These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them they shall hunger north no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of water of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Who are those who are washed and who are saved and ho and who are worthy of entering into the rest of the Lord or the fullness of his glory? Those who are arrayed in white robes those who are coming out of great tribulation does this sound familiar to any of us and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb they are the ones who are serving him day and night in the temple. They are the ones who he shall dwell among you understanding that the temple the covenants and the ordinances and the gathering of Israel all all are all involved in the second comforter experience they're involved in attaining to your calling election being made sure they are the ones who are before the throne of God President Nelson says why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so the blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will who will help prepare the world for the second coming of the Lord. As the prophet Isaiah prophesied and is memorialized in handel's Messiah when Jesus Christ returns the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. Those who are with him will be called and chosen and faithful con election being made sure my friends brothers and sisters now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority What is a disciple Alma forty one verse five Jesus Christ himself says he that receiveth my law and doeth it the same is my disciple and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not the same is not my disciple and shall be cast out from among you in Alma forty five verse thirty two but my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved but among the wicked men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. In Revelation 17 verse 14 these shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of lords and Lord of lords and king of kings and they that are with them are called and chosen and faithful are you one that is called and chosen and faithful the prophet of the church in our current dispensation is urging us to make our discipleship the highest priority what is he disciple? Those that are called and chosen and faithful and who do what he's asked us to do. That should point us back to the dream that my friend had that I discussed in the last episode. Now I'm going to discuss another dream that an apostle I believe he was an apostle had and it echoes my friend's um experience Elder Amasa M. Lyman this is a vision by um him and honestly I'm not sure if he's an apostle or not I need to do my further research but my friend the same one who had the dream pointed me to this as well because it sounds almost exactly the same. This is what he says it was given in the Bowery in Great Salt Lake City on July 19 1857 I have not got up to preach a long sermon but as President Young said if anybody wanted to talk to talk away I have a matter in mind and I felt disposed to mention it to the brethren and sisters. I was reminded of it by an expression that was dropped by the President in his remarks this morning where he said if we could have our eyes opened as were those of the servant of Elijah to see the innumerable hosts that are in our favor, we would not have to wait and to wonder when the help of Israel will be sufficiently numerous for we should know there are more for us now than can be against us. When we were in Nauvoo at the beginning of the last winter we spent in Illinois about the time the clouds were gathering so thick and the last storm began to break upon us, we heard the thunders and threatenings of our enemies wherein they stated that we were to be driven away. At that time I was confined to my bed with sickness but I heard the report of the proceedings day after day but I could not come out to see the face of the heavens to judge what the issues would be. To get away was impossible with me at the time and we knew that the longer we stayed the more we should be oppressed by our enemies. After I had commenced to recover my health one morning while laying in my bed in open day, as wakeful as I am in this moment, the surrounding objects which I could see when in my natural condition all in an instant disappeared and instead of appearing to keep my bed I found myself standing in a place where those acquainted with Nau and the location of the printing office subsequent to the death of the prophets will remember. There was a vacant lot in front of the printing office. I stood there and I heard a rumbling noise something like that which attends the moving of a mass of people I turned around to look in the direction of Main Street and behold the whole country was filled with one moving mass of people that seemed to be traveling directly to the point where I stood. As they approached somewhat nearer they seemed not to be traveling on the ground but somewhat near the altitude of the tops of the buildings. At the head of the company were three personages clothed with robes of white something like those with which many of us are acquainted with around their waist was a girdle of gold and from this was suspended the scabbard of a sword the sword being in the hand of the wearer. They took their places with their faces directly west and as they stopped the individual in advance turned and looked over his shoulder to come with a smile of recognition. It was Joseph and the others were his two brothers Hiram and Carlos. I contemplated them for a few moments but to tell my feelings would be impossible I leave you to guess them for it would be futile to attempt a description. After contemplating the scene a few moments I was again in my bed as before and the vision had disappeared. This was my assurance in the commencement of our troubles there that I received of the guardianship that was around us and the protection that we were receiving from the hosts of heaven the sequel of our history proves that it was no idle tale. Our safety was pledged and guaranteed but what does our history prove that the heavens have labored for us that those who have gone behind the veil labored for us and they still labor for us. If it were only ourselves that guaranteed the success of Mormonism on the earth it would be put it would be but a poor guarantee but that help that has sustained us will not be taken or withdrawn from us. While we seek to sustain the truth we shall be sustained. As the present observed we shall be preserved just so long as our Father in heaven requires all in the interests which we have upon the earth ought to be pledged to sustain the truth and when our interest requires us to go from here why should we dread it any more than we dread to go to England or to any other place? We serve our interests when we serve our God and it is all that we have to do. It is so with me and it has been so and it should be so with all of us. It is not choice with me whether I stay or go. I have friends there and I have friends here. And if I were to calculate which I love best I could not tell. Well brothers and sisters may the Lord Almighty bless you is my prayer in the name of Jesus amen. So a masa part of his vision was seeing all of these people all of these angels specifically for him Joseph Smith and his two brothers robing themselves with power and authority to be part of that royal army that is bringing to pass the work that God has commanded us to do because we will have to pass through great tribulation. But we are not alone in that matter I will finish with this last thought kind of bringing all of it together episode one and episode two we're we're studying this second comforter experience we're talking about being one that's called chosen and elected a sanctified one in our temple experience we are asked to perform ordinances and make covenants that we might attain to the stature of our Heavenly Father and Savior. We are given their power and spiritual gifts to help us to attain Godhood and live with them eternally as we promise to keep their laws. Many blessings are received throughout the whole temple experience but I want to point our minds to the last powers, promises and blessings that are given at the completion of the endowment ceremony before we enter the celestial room. When we undertake this last invitation we are blessed personally with these sacred promises or more specifically priesthood power. But it is not only power given to ourselves but also to our future generations or our posterity but it is the the the power flows to our children and grandchildren as well never ending if the laws are kept. As we stand in proxy for our ancestors we arm them with priesthood power by performing the ordinances and covenants necessary for receiving God's power when we are acting as proxy for our ancestors we are their posterity thus we are pronouncing those sacred blessings upon ourselves as well through the sacrificial covenantal act that was just performed on their behalf. Thus God's power flows back to our ancestors and continues into the future with blessing our own posterity temple covenants forge an eternal round my friends of godly priesthood power thus enabling us to become part of the church of the firstborn a sanctified one who is also called and elected one who is a part of the royal army of God on both sides of the veil we are to pass through great tribulation but all is going to be okay because there's 300 and counting temples dotting the earth bringing glory and power to those on both sides of the veil necessary to not only conquer Satan but to bring us into the presence of God our Father and his son Jesus Christ becoming one with them. We will know what they know we will feel what they feel we will see what they see and we will love as they love thank you for joining me I love my savior and I'm grateful for the opportunity to testify of the reality of these things have a powerful conference my friends we'll see you on Tuesday.