PROLOGUE
Section 124 tells us that if the Saints did not have a place to restore that which was lost—the fullness of the priesthood— to a completed temple in time that their baptisms would remain efficacious, but their vicarious work for the dead would not.
The irony presented here is that the vicarious work which now needs to be done IS FOR THOSE WHO REJECTED THE COVENANT TO BEGIN WITH. In other words, the children’s children of these Saints (who hated the Lord) need to repent for the folly and abominations of their fathers. By doing so, it is assumed, this action will free them from their bondage and make the work that they should have done in the first place have power when it is resumed.
Baptisms for the living needed to remain condoned so that the 3rd and 4th generation children could have standing when they repented. Their repentance then would give their ancestors the opportunity to be deemed again (“re-deemed”). The job to find the remnant of Lehi’s seed and all of Israel still rests with that group. What we should be doing today is repenting in their behalf.
People may or may not think that one person can repent in behalf of another. Of course, if the “other” one has not done their own due diligence, then their baptisms are moot anyway. But perhaps we should believe the Lord at His word when He says:
What exactly, then, does it mean to "restore four-fold for all their trespasses wherewith they have tresspassed"? I would suggest that it has to do with these follies:
• Unauthorized plural marriage
• Corporatism/Priestcraft
• Correlation
• Idolatry
The great part about all of this is that our fathers played a role in our salvation, and thus, we must play a part in theirs. Let us turn to the doctrine of Christ so that not even one will be lost!
THE VISION
I found myself in some sort of village with my family and a few others. There was a flood coming and I could hear the alarm sounding. Others were scrambling for safety as well but they didn't seem to know what to do. There was a nearby building, about 12 stories tall, and I led my group to the roof.
When we got to the top, I knew we weren't high enough. I could see a tall chain link fence surrounding some power equipment, so I climbed to the top and helped everyone up. Just as we all got to the highest spot, I saw coming over the mountains a HUGE flood of water. We all held onto each other as the deluge gushed just below our feet. Had we stayed on the top of the roof (like many others did), we would have been swept away.
The water quickly receded and we went back to the streets. They were completely empty now, except for mud here and there. I sensed there were others around us, perhaps even inside the building we were just standing on, and determined that we were going to go out and find them.
THE SONG
An old silent pond…
Section 124 tells us that if the Saints did not have a place to restore that which was lost—the fullness of the priesthood— to a completed temple in time that their baptisms would remain efficacious, but their vicarious work for the dead would not.
The irony presented here is that the vicarious work which now needs to be done IS FOR THOSE WHO REJECTED THE COVENANT TO BEGIN WITH. In other words, the children’s children of these Saints (who hated the Lord) need to repent for the folly and abominations of their fathers. By doing so, it is assumed, this action will free them from their bondage and make the work that they should have done in the first place have power when it is resumed.
Baptisms for the living needed to remain condoned so that the 3rd and 4th generation children could have standing when they repented. Their repentance then would give their ancestors the opportunity to be deemed again (“re-deemed”). The job to find the remnant of Lehi’s seed and all of Israel still rests with that group. What we should be doing today is repenting in their behalf.
People may or may not think that one person can repent in behalf of another. Of course, if the “other” one has not done their own due diligence, then their baptisms are moot anyway. But perhaps we should believe the Lord at His word when He says:
But if the children shall repent, or the children’s children, and turn to the Lord their God, with all their hearts and with all their might, mind, and strength, and restore four-fold for all their trespasses wherewith they have trespassed, or wherewith their fathers have trespassed, or their fathers’ fathers, then thine indignation shall be turned away; And vengeance shall no more come upon them, saith the Lord thy God, and their trespasses shall never be brought any more as a testimony before the Lord against them. Amen.
What exactly, then, does it mean to "restore four-fold for all their trespasses wherewith they have tresspassed"? I would suggest that it has to do with these follies:
• Unauthorized plural marriage
• Corporatism/Priestcraft
• Correlation
• Idolatry
The great part about all of this is that our fathers played a role in our salvation, and thus, we must play a part in theirs. Let us turn to the doctrine of Christ so that not even one will be lost!
I found myself in some sort of village with my family and a few others. There was a flood coming and I could hear the alarm sounding. Others were scrambling for safety as well but they didn't seem to know what to do. There was a nearby building, about 12 stories tall, and I led my group to the roof.
When we got to the top, I knew we weren't high enough. I could see a tall chain link fence surrounding some power equipment, so I climbed to the top and helped everyone up. Just as we all got to the highest spot, I saw coming over the mountains a HUGE flood of water. We all held onto each other as the deluge gushed just below our feet. Had we stayed on the top of the roof (like many others did), we would have been swept away.
The water quickly receded and we went back to the streets. They were completely empty now, except for mud here and there. I sensed there were others around us, perhaps even inside the building we were just standing on, and determined that we were going to go out and find them.
THE SONG
An old silent pond…
A frog jumps in the water.
Splash! Silence again.
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The flood is coming.
We must ascend above it.
Find a tall building.
Family is here
At the roof of the structure.
I see the rapids.
We must go higher.
I will pull you to the top.
Water at our heels.
The deluge has passed.
Walking in the muddy streets,
We are not alone.
I hear their voices:
"Has the Master forgotten?"
Promises invoked.
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An old silent pond...
A man walks on the water.
The frogs croak no more.
