are at a loss to understand, how it is that we have begun to live for ever, and how we are counted with eternity. The remarks are certainly novel and in order to get at the subject, it will be necessary for us to investigate in some measure the meaning of the word Eternity. I do not know but that on entering upon this subject I should have to take notice of certain remarks made by me last Sabbath in relation to the everlasting unchangeable principles of the gospel; but as every principle pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ is eternal it all has a relevancy to the subject about which we are now speaking. the same principles that now exist in relation to the gospel, existed in the various dispensations that have been in being, in the different ages of the world. They existed in the days of Moses, and in Enoch's day, and in the days of Adam, and they existed in Eternity, in the mind of God, before this world rolled into existence or the Morning Stars sung together, or the
Sons of God shouted for you. When we speak of these things, we have reference not so much to our existence here on the earth, as we have with regard to principle; principle relative to our coming into existence in this time, to lve upon the face of the world a few years. But although we came into existence here, we existed thousands of years before we came here, we only came here to live on this stage of action, wherein we are to work out our probation, and to prepare ourselves for the Eternal courts of glory and a Celestial Kingdom of God. Time is a short space, between, or in eternity. Eternity existed before time was, and will exist when time will cease; and so did we. It takes the body and the spirit to make the soul of man, or make a 'living soul.' Jesus existed thousands of years before he came here, and so did we, a body was prepared him, and a body has been prepared for us; and although the body may be killed or die, the spirit cannot, and as Jesus lived before he ha
d a body; he lived also after his body was slain and inanimate; he had power to lay down his life or body and power to take it up again, and where did his power exist if he was dead? Our Savior spoke on a certain occasion, on the last great day of the feast, and said, 'I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and he that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.' But what has become of those that were then in existence, who heard and believed these things, and to whom he did then address himself? Are they living in their tabernacles here upon the earth? Or have they not long since slept with their Fathers, and their bodies have moldered with their mother earth, to wait for the resurrection of the dead. This is the precise situation of those individuals, and yet our Savior made use of the same kind of language with regard to Eternity, or living for ever, says he 'He that liveth and believeth in me, though he were
dead yet shall he live and he that liveth and believeth shall never die.' there is faith and power connected with the gospel of Jesus Christ, whereby the sleeping dead, shall burst the barriers of the tomb, as Jesus did. 'He that liveth, and believeth in me shall never die.' They have begunto live a life that is eternal; they have got in possession of Eternal principles. They have partaken of the Everlasting Priesthood which is eternal; without beginning of days or end of years. They have become familiar with eternal things, and understand matters pertaining to their future destiny, and are in possession of an exalted glory. they have become familiar with all these things and consequently their life is hid with Christ in God; Christ lives and he in them, and they in him. Though he is dead, he ever liveth to make intercession for us, and all who partake of the same spirit live to him and for him and to and for eternity, or in eternal glory; and if other bodies should die as
his did, they will be where Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob are waiting for the resurrection of their bodies. 'For God is not the God of the dead but of the living for all live unto him.' There is something peculiar in regard to these things, and something that is difficult, to convey right ideas of to man. It is not an easy task, to define, or unfold to man the relationship we have to God, and how it is that our life is hid with Christ in God, as we exist in the glory of the eternal world.
When our bodies moulder in the dust, what is it but a sleep for a little while, what says the scriptures, they speak of the sleep of death, the body seems to be worn out, the wheels of life stand still, and the body crumbles to the dust; but the spirit possesses life, and mingles with those intelligences that exist in the eternal world, these persons having the everlasting priesthood still continue to exist and roll forward the great designs of Jehovah. Abraham died so says the scriptures,
yet Abraham lives, and long after the time his body mouldered in the dust, we find that Lazarus was seen in his bosom.
We read of Adam or Michael if you please, of Gabriel and some others.
Who was Michael? and who Gabriel? They were those who had existed in this world, these persons, having the everlasting Priesthood, and who now exist in the eternal world to administer in offices pertaining to man on earth. [p. 93] Who was it that came to our Savior to administer unto him when he was on the mount with Peter, James, and John? We read that Moses and Elias were seen with him. What were they doing there; if they were dead long ago? They had long existed in the eternal world. Who was with John on the Isle of Patmos? He was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and had the heavens opened unto him, and the glories of the eternal world unvailed to his astonished vision. He gazed upon the future purpose of God, and wrapped in prophetic vision described the designs of Jehovah down to
the latest age. A glorious personage stood before him, who unfolded to him many great events. John fell down to worship him; but he said, see thou do it not, for 'I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, that have the testimony of Jesus, worship God.' John might have said, You were dead long ago. No, but says Jesus, 'I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Michael, Gabriel, Moses, Elias, and thousands of men who had the everlasting priesthood on the earth and officiated in it here, existed or lived still to perform the work they had commenced upon the earth. They had the everlasting priesthood, while upon earth and officiated in it, according to the eternal purposes of God, and the laws that govern the eternal world, while they were upon this earth and when they left this earth they still lived, in another sphere; their names were not blotted out of existence, they had the everlasting priesthood that administ
ers in time and eternity. This was the situation of these individuals, as far as the other world is concerned.
There is a curious expression made use of by one of the apostles. He says, 'Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.' The
fact of the matter is, the whole world lies in the arms of the wicked one. The whole world with all their religion, honors, pride, and philosophy, are ignorant of God and his purposes. They know nothing of God, nor of the laws which govern his kingdom. They know not how to save themselves, or their friends; they are unacquainted with the principles of the eternal plan of salvation, for 'darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people.' But let those who are ignorant of the eternal principles of heaven, and the laws that govern the eternal world, and the kingdom of Jehovah, their understandings once enlightened by the spirit of God, let the intelligence of heaven once beam upon their hearts and their capacities be expanded by the power of eternal truth, and by the word of salvation, and they will awake out of slumber exclaiming what have I been doing all my life long? I have been searching for intelligence, for honor, and glory. I have been searching
after truth; but find that I know nothing of God, of spirits, of angels, of Heaven, of Hell, or of eternal life.
I have been in a sleep which is worse than the sleep of death. Let such individuals be once awakened and understand by the teachings of the spirit of Jehovah, the knowledge which he imparts to those who begin to awake to the knowledge of his kingdom; the spirit of God beams upon their minds with respondent glory, and life at once springs up. Yea, they are born again, not of flesh, or of the word of man but of God; they are born again of the spirit, and are made new creatures in Christ Jesus; thus being born again of the spirit of God they can rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.
We do not expect that our bodies are going to live to all eternity, for we know the scriptures say, that 'it is appointed for man once to die.'--And another scripture says, 'he that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.' A man that liveth and believeth in Jesus Chri
st, has the principles of everlasting life within him, and hence says Jesus, 'If any man thirst let him come to me and drink,' and says he, 'I will be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and the water that I shall give him, shall be in him, a well that shall spring up unto everlasting life,' do you believe it? So said Jesus, and the principles that he taught, were the eternal truths of Heaven, they were true before he uttered them, they existed in eternity; they were true after he uttered them, and they are true now. It has the principle of life in itself, and is so true that all those, who participate in the fullness of the gospel, will revive eternal life, or in other words, shall have in them, 'A well of water, springing up unto eternal life,' hence it is, that the gospel embraces eternal covenants, eternal principles, and eternal laws, that will hold in eternal bonds, things back, and things to come, and as Judge Phelps says, in one of his hymns, i
t is 'Eternity now and Eternity then' [p. 96] We have began to have a relationship with eternity and eternal things.
We knew nothing of these things, while we were associated with the christian world. If a man took any steps with regard to anything, formerly, it was considered only in regard to time, and at death every thing ended. If a man should have a friend from out of existence and not be converted, his doom was to go down, down, to the bottom of the bottomless pit, to be bound in the flames of liquid fire and brimstone, for ever and ever.'--In those days, every body were unacquainted with the great principles of salvation; but we are in possession of principles revealed from heaven, of a gospel that will save men; and if they cannot be saved they must go down to hell, until the prison doors be opened, and the captives set free. Our Savior was put to death in the flesh and yet he was quickened by the spirit, and by that spirit he went to preach to the spirits in priso
n, who had been held in confinement since the days of Noah. He preached that they might have liberty, that they might from henceforth be snatched from the jaws of the devil, and having suffered enough for their crimes he came to open the prison doors, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord. He was put to death in the flesh, and quickened by the spirit, and so will every believer be, and be put in possession of the same eternal principle, for if the same spirit dwell in us, it will also quicken our moral bodies, so that we shall not only exist in spirit, but our bodies will exist upon the same principle. How different is this to the religion of the world. Theirs is full of gloom and misery and death; ours of life and immortality. All the wisdom of the religion or of the nations of the earth, is but to be prepared to meet death. When I went to the Methodist class meeting, it used to be asked me: well, brother are you prepared for death? I don't think anything about death.
I don't believe in meeting Christ at death.'--I believe that Christ is our life, and that when he who is our lifeshall appear, we shall appear like unto him in glory, he is our life, our living head, and by the power that dwells in him, we may be raised to immortal bloom, and grasp eternity itself. What is eternity? It is duration.
It had no beginning, and it will have no end. What is matter? It is eternal. What is spirit? It is eternal. God did not make this world out of nothing;'--that would be impossible. But the Christians say, nothing is impossible with God. He made the world out of matter that existed before he framed it. He spake; chaos heard; and the world rolled into existence.
there is no end to the works of the Almighty, but we may soar among the knowledge of God, forever. We can do the works that he did, and greater; because he has gone to the Father, for we are told, all things were created by him, and for him, principalities, powers, things present, and thi
ngs to come; and if we ever should get to such a state, as to be like him, we might be able to do such kind of business as he did; the same as carpenters, or any other mechanics know how to make the various utensils that are used by man. They do not make them out of nothing; the trouble is to get the material. It troubles them sometimes to get stock to commence business, or to drive business ahead, and I expect we shall want some one to counsel us, and shall have to covenant to abide by his counsel, and walk to the mark. It is also necessary that we should learn the principles of order and government; but first we must learn to govern ourselves; next, how to govern our families, and, in the next place, learn how to be governed, which is the hardest lesson that can be set us: it is worse than to govern somebody else. Jesus was not prepared to govern, until he was placed in circumstances that gave him experience. The scriptures say, it is necessary to the bringing of many soul
s to glory, that the Captain of our salvation should be made perfect through sufferings. So, he was not perfect before, but he had to come here to be made perfect; he had to come hee to pass through a multitude of sufferings, and be tempted and tried in all points like unto us, because it was necessary. Had it not been necessary he would not have been placed in those circumstances, and this is the reason why we are here, and kicked and cuffed round, and hated and despised, by the world. The reason why we do not do not live in peace is because we are not prepared for it. We are tempted and tried, driven, mobbed, and robbed;'--apostates are in our midst, which cause trouble and vexation of spirit, and it is all to keep down our pride and learn us to honor the God of Jacob in all things and to make us appear what we really are. The gospel turns us inside out and makes manifest every good and every evil way.
When we were Methodists, we would say is not that brother so and so?
what a holy man so and so is; he is pattern of piety; but when the gospel appears among them, they lose all their false religion and pretended piety in one day, and are guilty of as much foolery as any body else, though they would seem to be more righteous than the angel who
are on high, or the intelligences that surround the throne of God. The trials to which they are exposed drag into daylight their follies, tear away their mask and false covering and make them appear in their true colors. This is just the situation that we are placed in and it is necessary that we should be tried and kicked, and cuffed, and twisted round, that we may learn obedience by the things we suffer. You would never whip your boy if you could make him good without whipping. I will tell you how it is with me, if I had sinned against God, I would go to him and confess my fault and ask for forgiveness. If I have sinned against the brethren I will go to them and ask them to forgive me. I would not have any charge brought against me for I should be sure to get a flogging and I would rather humble myself and ask forgiveness before I got it. If you transgress against the law of God, and do not find it hard to kick against the prick's, I do not nothing about it; but says one,
it is almost impossible for me to endure it. You had better however endure it than endure a worse thing, for it is the intention of God to try you. Some of the brethren talk a great deal about their trials and troubles. They say I can hardly endure it. I am not sorry that you are tried; but I am glad of it; and some of the sisters will put on a pitiable face, and look so mournful; you would think they were going to give up the ghost; I am glad of it. I am glad to see people in trouble when I know that it is for their salvation. Do you feel sorrowful? I do not know that I do, and if I did, I would not tell anybody about it. I feel just like the Methodists sing 'there is a better day a coming, praise the Lord.' I believe in that scripture that says: We have sorrow in the night but joy cometh in the morning. I am willing to bear it, and say roll on you proud billows, and take your own course. I pray that I may not swerve to the right or to the left, and do nothing against my br
other or my sister or against God, but act all the time with reference to eternity.
I will tell you what it is, I know before God, that if we were only prepared to receive greater blessings, we should have them roll upon our heads; until there was no room to contain them: blessings of every kind; blessings temporal, spiritual, and eternal, and as we have began to live for eternity, and as God is our eternal Father, and has taught us eternal principles, and as we are obtaining an eternal relationship with God, and with each other, we shall understand, by and by, when that house [The Temple] is completed, all things that are taking place.
What have we to fear? What fear have we of mobs, beasts, or anybody else? We fear nothing but God. We fear God and know no other fear. We are in the hand of God, and know the will of God, and are acting with reference to eternity, to make provisions for our dead and our posterity to come.
Well, says some, 'we do not all understand this
.' You will understand it, and what you do not know now, you will know hereafter, for there are those that understand it perfectly. There are those who know how to save themselves, and those that are dead. They know what step to take; what course to pursue, and what ordinances to administer in, and how to administer them; and all about it, and how to place you in a relationship to God and angels, and to one another, and you will know more about eternity and eternal life than you do now. These are some of the feeling that I have in relation to this subject; and when I speak on living forever, and being in eternity; I will tell how I feel:'--I feel surrounded with eternal principles; I feel like being united with an eternal covenant to God and my friends, which I will understand, by and by, and being in possession of eternal principles, the necessity of an eternal covenant, and to hold a relationship with those who have gone before, for without them we cannot be made perfect.
What have we to fear? All things are ours; the Kingdom is ours; all things are ours;'--and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's, and when he who is our life shall appear, we shall appear with him in glory.
Persecution is for our good, and if we have hard things to endure let us round up our shoulders and bear them in the name of the Lord, and not murmur. The pattern has been set before us by some of the ancients; at the time that Job's sons were slain, by the falling of the house;'--and the taking away of the earth &. All the time he was deprived of every thing, and his body was covered over with scabs and putrifying sores, and at the time his [friends] forsook him and his enemies tantalised him. Did he begin to find fault with any of those people that had stolen his oxen, sheep and camels &? No, he never opened his head about it. He knew they were under the guidance of the Almighty. He did not complain nor wish his enemies to be cursed; but he said, 'the Lord gave, and th
e Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' Do not find fault if we have a few apostates among us here, for they are mean, damnable, and pitiable characters. They were made for that purpose, and have got to magnify their calling. How mean and contemptible and devilish they are; they would not fulfil the measure of their creation if they did not do it. Do not find fault with them, but let them do their own business, and pursue their own course, and if they come across you, cuff their ears and send them over the river; but not too [p. 15] many at a time, lest by cutting off too many branches, you spoil the growth of the seed. It is necessary we should have such things to meet with that we may be made perfect through suffering. Let us, then, love and fear God and keep his commandments.
I do not know that I have explained this eternal life to the mind of every individual so that they can understand. I will try again to do it.
Before we were acquainted with this gos
pel, we knew nothing about eternal principles, for it was not until we became acquainted with it, and embraced it, that we had in our possession eternal life; before that, we were ignorant of God, angels, spirits, heaven, and hell; but when we embraced this gospel, we embraced the everlasting covenant, the laws of which gives us a right to the throne of Jehovah, to as many as believe, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; before they were born they were not sons; but being born, we become sons; children;'--young men, and after that men. It is necessary that men should be acquainted with eternal principles, that the seed should be sworn, to produce the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear, to accomplish the purpose for which it was sown. If the seed was never sown it could never grow, and we shall not reap good seed expect good seed shall grow. The everlasting gospel or the everlasting priesthood was not known till the Lord revealed it from the heaven
s, by the voice of his angel, and when we receive these principles and they abide in us, we shall then have the principles of eternal life. It was small when it first began; but you see the spirit of God has caused it to grow and become a mighty tree, and its branches cover the whole earth. Without the principle of eternal life, the principle of eternal knowledge never could be imparted as a blessing to the human family; and when once the key was turned, when the door was unlocked, and the seed once sown, truth began to grow, and the communication opened between the heavens and the earth, which placed men in a situation to converse with beings that surround the throne of God. The Melchisedek Priesthood, holds the keys that unfold the purpose of Jehovah, and drags into day light the secret of God, the mystery of godliness, as well as the secret abominations ofthe wicked:'--Yea, 'Life and immortality is brought to light through the gospel.' If we can see life and immortality l
et us hide ourselves under it; make a mantle of it: imbibe it in our spirit; become inoculated with it; and we shall live forever, it will spring up to everlasting life, to eternal glory; and salvation; and whoever is in possession of it, is in possession of salvation; and whoe
ver is in possession of salvation, is in possession of eternal life. It emanated from God; yea, it is God. Do you believe it? What saith the scriptures? Know ye not that Christ dwelling in you, except ye be reprobates, and in Christ is life, and that life is the light of men; and it shineth in darkness, but the darkness comprehendeth it not; but when it is comprehended, it is life, salvation, and eternal glory.
It is not a glorious subject to dwell upon; the principles of eternal life, the idea of being in God, of having him about us, to control, sustain, and bless us. I tell you these are glorious themes; themes, that angels delight to dwell upon; and that cheers the hearts of the intelligences around the throne of God; the principles of eternal life with them, is a delightful subject; and you will understand more about it, shortly, after you get more teaching upon the subject. The scriptures could not tell all things, nor never can, because there are times and seasons, la
ws, principles, and authorities, that regulate, govern, control, and put in order. We have got to come according to order, and not disorder; suffice it to say, then, that we understand something of the principle of eternal life. God is in all things. 'He is the light that lightens all things; he is in the moon, and the light of the moon, and the power by which it was made. He is also in the sun, and in the light of the sun, and the power by which they are made, and the same light that lightens our understanding, even the spirit of the most High God, is in all things, and round about all things, and through all things. To some men God is a consuming fire; but to the saints eternal life, and glory.
Let us be patient, and submit to the authorities of God in all things, and be governed by the authority of the eternal priesthood, and you shall understand all things pertaining to your salvation. Trust in God, and the authorities of his church; do not be fearful and unbelieving,
for the fearful and unbelieving go outside of the city. Do not be troubled about anything,'-- I should be ashamed of telling anybody I was troubled. Talk about your troubles, for God's sake let me never hear it again; talk about peace and the principles of eternal life; about God, angels, &. We want peace and the fellowship and the spirit of God, in our midst, and all will be well. I am surprised to hear anybody talk about troubles, poor creatures; you have a little sou. I never had much trouble myself: I have no time to be troubled for taking care of other people: I do not know that I ever had any trouble; I am looking forward to eternal life. When trouble comes upon you I would recommend the course Bunyan took in the Pilgrim's Progress; he put his fingers in his ears, and cried life, life, eternal life. So when you hear any one talk about their troubles, put your fingers in your ears, and cry life, life, eternal life.'--God bless you for ever and ever; Amen. [p. 119]
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
[source: 'The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
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