THE “ONE MIGHTY AND STRONG"
D&C 85:7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;
8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning.
9 And all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I. “I, THE LORD GOD, WILL SEND ONE MIGHTY AND STRONG”
A. A “future-tense” person
This passage refers to a person future-tense from when the revelation was received. It is commonly believed that this passage refers to Bishop Edward Partridge. And so it may be. However, the passage may have multiple applications.
In its message to the church, the First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund) stated that:
“Men of exceptional talents and abilities will develop among the people of God; and without disorder or eruption or excitement they will be called of the Lord through the appointed agencies of the Priesthood and Church authority, to positions that will afford them opportunity for service. They will be accepted by the Saints in the regular order, appointed by the law of the Church, just as Edward Partridge was called and accepted, and just as the ‘one mighty and strong’ will be called and accepted when the time comes for his services.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.382; Improvement Era, Vol. 10, 1906-1907, pp. 929-943).
B. Statements by the First Presidency aren’t necessarily considered “doctrine”, but they are close.
“In trying all matters of doctrine, to make a decision valid, it is necessary to obtain a unanimous voice, faith and decision. In the capacity of a Quorum, the three First Presidents must be one in their voice; the Twelve Apostles must be unanimous in their voice, to obtain a righteous decision upon any matter that may come before them, as you may read in the Doctrine and Covenants. Whenever you see these Quorums unanimous in their declaration, you may set it down as true. (Brigham Young, JD 9:91-92)
And so it stands – we have a First Presidency statement that the “one mighty and strong” WILL BE [emphasis added] called and accepted (insinuating a date after 1906/1907) via the regular order.
This person has yet to enter the stage of church history. When he does, the authorities of the church – and quite likely, the church membership as a whole – will know of it.
II. HE WILL BE “HOLDING THE SCEPTER OF POWER IN HIS HAND”
A. Will have “the spirit and power of his calling”
"If, however, there are those who will still insist that the prophecy concerning the coming of 'one mighty and strong' is still to be regarded as relating to the future, let the Latter-day Saints know that he will be a future Bishop of the Church who will be with the Saints in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, when the Lord shall establish them in that land; and he will also be blessed with the spirit and power of his calling, that he will be able to set in order the house of God, pertaining to the department of the work under his jurisdiction; and in righteousness and justice he will 'arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints.' He will hold the same high and exalted station that Edward Partridge held." (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund, First Presidency, published in the Deseret News, November 13, 1905).
In holding such a “high and exalted station”, the question arises as to just how the OM&S will obtain his authority.
B. Called and ordained via standard operating procedure
Joseph Fielding Smith stated that:
“When the man who shall be called upon to divide unto the Saints their inheritances comes, he will be designated by the inspiration of the Lord to the proper authorities of the Church, appointed and provided for in the government of the Church.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, Vol 2, p.114).
In summarizing this person’s call, we see that:
Ø He will be DESIGNATED BY THE INSPIRATION of the Lord to the proper authorities of the Church,
Ø He will be CALLED and ACCEPTED when the time comes for his services.
Ø He will be APPOINTED and PROVIDED for in the government of the Church
The scriptures seem to agree with this procedure:
“Obviously, any such person called to serve as a replacement for Bishop Partridge would be called in the same manner he was. (See D&C 41:9; 68:14-21)” (Otten & Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the Doctrine & Covenants, Vol.2, p.81).
In Abraham, we see a depiction of Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh's throne, by the politeness of the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven; with the scepter of justice and judgment in his hand.
So it is with the OM&S. He will have the Priesthood of God, and he will have a “scepter” (I have no idea if it is literal or not) signifying this person’s authority: to exact justice (as a “judge in Israel”) and judgment in setting in order the inheritances to the House of God.
III. HE WILL BE “CLOTHED WITH LIGHT FOR A COVERING”
A. Light may be visual in nature
Orson Pratt had an interesting take on being “clothed with light”:
“I tell you, brethren and sisters, this would be one of the most glorious periods that we could possibly imagine: it would be one of the most joyful there is in the future. We know that men upon the earth have been so clothed with the glory and power of God that the people could not look upon their countenances; and why was this? It was because the people were wicked. When Moses had been upon the mountain, standing in the presence of God, being in his presence forty days receiving the tables of stone, and came down to teach the people, they could not endure his presence. Why? Because that glory that was manifested could not be endured by the wicked. But in this instance, the Lord permitted it to be manifested for a while. And when the people looked upon the countenance of Moses, they perceived that there were rays of light emanating from him—that he looked different from what he formerly did—that he was clothed upon with something which they had not been accustomed to see, and they fled afar off. Moses, therefore, was under the necessity of taking a vail and putting it over his face, for they could not endure it. They fled from the presence of a mortal man when he was clothed upon with glory, or with a reflection of the glory of God; therefore the only way was for him to cover his face, and then converse with the children of Israel.“ (Journal of Discourses, Vol.8, p.50, April 8, 1860)
IV. HIS “BOWELS SHALL BE A FOUNTAIN OF TRUTH”
A. This “light”, however, may be figurative, not literal.
In speaking of the light of one’s testimony of the truth, Apostle Amasa M. Lyman said:
“Would to God that all the Saints enjoyed this light. What would be the result? There would be more practical purity, more righteous actions, and less evil in the community,—more of the Spirit of God, as a natural consequence, because every Saint would be possessed of a living fountain of light and truth—that inspiration which inspires the Apostle, enlightens the mind of the Prophet, tears away the vail from the future, and enables man to look upon and contemplate the excellencies of our Father's kingdom.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol.5, p.37, July 12, 1857)
Earlier, Lyman said:
“The light must be in the soul before its benefit can be realized. It must be in the centre of his being, a fountain of light, and consequently of life and glory, from which fountain should proceed life and truth until it is diffused throughout his whole being, until all his affections are sanctified, and his judgment corrected. Then he would have no need to pile up and read the musty records of past ages, because the principles of light, and life, and truth are planted in him; and when he began to partake of their fruits, to drink of this fountain, would he thirst again? No. When a man learns the truth, he does not feel any more anxiety about it, he does not become hungry for the comprehension of that truth any more. So Jesus said, "They that drink of the water I will give them shall not thirst again." (Journal of Discourses, Vol.3, p.147, December 2, 1855)
These verses, when tied together with the concept of “light”, make a strong case that the covering of light is evidence that this person has deeply internalized the teachings of the gospel, the words of God.
B. Ultimately, God is the fountain of truth and light.
Warren Cowdery stated:
“What we call the Scriptures are true, because as we have seen they are an emanation from God, the fountain and source of truth. (Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, p.98).
A. 2 Nephi 9:16 give us a hint as to what these “eternal words” might be:
”And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.”
A. What is “the house of God”?
1. The temple.
Ø 1 Chronicles 22:2: “And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.”
Ø 1 Chronicles 23:28: “Because their [the Levites’] office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
Ø 2 Chronicles 3:3: “Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 4:19: “And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;”
Ø 2 Chronicles 5:14: “So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 23:3: “And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 24:27: “Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 28:24: “And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 “And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.”
Ø 2 Chronicles 36:19: “And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.”
Ø Ezra 2:68: “And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:”
Ø Ezra 3:9: “Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.”
Ø Ezra 5:2: “Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.”
Ø Ezra 5:14-16 “And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.”
Ø Ezra 6:5: “And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.”
Ø Nehemiah 6:10: “Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.”
Ø Nehemiah 13:9: “Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.”
Ø Daniel 5:3: “Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.”
Ø Matthew 12:3-4 (Mark 2:25-26; Luke 6:3-4) “But he [Jesus] said unto them [the Pharisees], Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?”
Ø D&C 138:57-59: "The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation."
2. Church membership
Ø 1 Timothy 3:15: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Ø 1 Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
3. Preferred interpretation: temple
a. Greek translation
In the two quotations just mentioned, “house” is based upon the Greek word oikos {oy'-kos}, which not only refers to a “house”, an “inhabited house, home, any building whatever”, “a palace of, the house of God, the tabernacle”, but also “the inmates of a house, all the persons forming one family, a household; the family of God, of the Christian Church, of the church of the Old and New Testaments”. However, the interpretation that “house” equals “church” is not common; “oikos” is used approximately 114 times in the Bible. Of those 114, only two refer to “the church”.
b. D&C 45:18-20
“And now ye behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which ye call the house of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall. But, verily I say unto you, that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations. And this temple which ye now see shall be thrown down that there shall not be left one stone upon another.”
c. Modern day statements
Modern day statements by the Church reaffirm this position. Elder James E. Talmage stated that the temple
“is the temporal representation of the House of God” (House of the Lord, p. 142)
Elder Robert L. Simpson seconded Talmage, stating that
“The temple is a house of God where all of those declared worthy are extended the privilege of performing the sacred ordinances of the temple on behalf of their forebears, that in very deed the hearts of the children might be turned to their fathers, as foretold in the holy scriptures (see Mal. 4:6). Like all of Heavenly Father's blessings for his children, the eventual realization is always on condition of faithfulness and conformity to priesthood principles.” (The House Of The Lord, October 1980 General Conference)
President Wilford Woodruff also taught:
"When you get to the other side of the veil, if you have entered into these Temples and redeemed your progenitors by ordinances of the House of God, you will hold the keys of their redemption from eternity to eternity. Do not neglect this!" (In Conference Report, Apr. 1898, p. 90.).
B. What is the key to accessing “the house of God”?
In a speech regarding temple worthiness, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“The temple recommend opens the door to the House of the Lord. It is concerned with entry into holy precincts to do sacred and divine work.
The importance of temple recommends cannot be overstated. In earlier times, the Church felt so strongly about this matter that they required the President of the Church himself personally sign each recommend. With the growth of the Church, that became impractical. In a circular letter addressed to Stake Presidents and bishops, dated November 10, 1891, the First Presidency said:
‘Dear Brethren: It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temple to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff, to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required.
‘This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples.
‘[Signed] Your brethren, Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’” (Keeping The Temple Holy April 1990 General Conference).
C. The potential for misusing one’s temple recommend exists.
1. Potential as mentioned in the scriptures
In 1833 the Lord revealed the following to the Prophet Joseph:
"Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that a house should be built unto me . . . for the salvation of Zion. . . .And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; "Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God. But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples" (D&C 97:10, 12, 15-17).
2. Latter-day defilement
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley again:
“Brethren, I believe that most who hold temple recommends meet all of the requirements. I regret to acknowledge, however, that there may be a few who do not and who should not enter the house of the Lord. I know it is difficult for a bishop to deny a recommend to someone who is in his ward and who may be on the borderline with reference to personal behavior. Such denial maybe offensive to the applicant. But he or she should know that unless there is true worthiness, there will be no blessing gained, and condemnation will fall upon the head of him or her who unworthily crosses the threshold of the House of God. (Keeping The Temple Holy April 1990 General Conference)
D. The future sifting of the church WILL involve issues which are queried in temple recommend interviews.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
“In the midst of our afflictions, reassurances will come to us from the Lord and from His prophets--as they did to the Lord's people in another age when they feared an approaching army, and the prophet reminded and reassured them, and ‘therefore they hushed their fears.’ (Mosiah 23:28.) Like a young Eliza Snow in an ox wagon in the midst of tribulation, we can maintain our perspective about ‘things as they really are’ and, in her words, be ‘thankful that we are so well off.’ (Jacob 4:13; Kenneth W. Godfrey, Women's Voices, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982, p. 147.) Such reassurances and perspective will surely be needed, brothers and sisters, for the Lord has clearly indicated that His purifying and sifting judgment would begin first at the house of God and then proceed outward to the world. (See 1 Pet. 4:17; D&C 112:25.) Just what this sifting will consist of is not now clear, what special pressures--combined with the ongoing and demanding rigors of "taking up the cross daily" --we know not. (See Luke 9:23.) We do know that the tempter's triad of tools, identified by Jesus as temptation, persecution, and tribulation, will be relentlessly used. ("Be Of Good Cheer", October 1982 General Conference)
1. Reasons for the sifting
Elder Maxwell’s description of this sifting of “the house of God” insinuates the failure of many to live up to “temple worthiness” expectations (I have bullet-pointed these for better identification; the content remains unchanged):
“Much sifting will occur because of:
Ø Lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end.
Ø A few will be deceived by defectors.
Ø Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof!
Ø A few will stumble because, in their preoccupation with the cares of the world, they do not have oil in their lamps. ("Be Of Good Cheer", October 1982 General Conference)
The oil (of testimony) in our lamps (of personal revelation), apostasy and unrepentant behavior are all aspects of the temple recommend interview.
E. THE GRAND LINK
1. The criteria for determining the nature of the “setting in order” is inexorably linked to the designation of the Saints’ inheritances
“If it shall be urged that the phrase ‘to set in order the house of God,’ indicates a larger scope of action than that contemplated in settling the Saints upon their inheritances, the reasonable and sufficient answer is that the scope of this phrase should most certainly be interpreted by the whole subject of the revelation, and not the meaning of the revelation by the particular phrase. So that the phrase, ‘set in order the house of God’ is limited to setting in order the house of God by arranging by lot the inheritances of the Saints” (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.119 - p.120).
2. The inclusion of a new criteria for worthiness combines the concepts of the temple recommend (into “the House of God”), the sifting (of the church and its membership) and the disbursement (of inheritances).
Pres. Joseph F. Smith stated:
“Those who cannot abide the law of tithing cannot partake of this law of consecration, or the higher law, and they will be deprived of an inheritance when the inheritances are divided.
In this revelation, the Law of Consecration is stated definitely as the law on which the New Jerusalem is to be built. This law is given for the benefit of the poor, for the building of Zion and the work of the ministry. . . . Through this celestial law (Consecration) the Saints are to become the covenant people of the Lord. We cannot enter into the fulness of the covenants pertaining to Zion until we have reached the point where we can live such a divine law. (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:184).
Pres. Marion G. Romney agreed, saying:
“We're living in the latter days. We're living in the days the prophets have told about from the time of Enoch to the present day. We are living in the era just preceding the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told to so prepare and live that we can be. .. independent of every other creature beneath the celestial kingdom [see D&C 78:14]. That is what we are to do...
The final thing that we are to do is to be able and willing to consecrate all that we have to the building up of the kingdom of God, to care for our fellow men. When we do this we'll be ready for the coming of the Messiah." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 165-66).”
3. Criteria will be applicable worldwide
President Lorenzo Snow:
"Now, here is one of the first principles of the United Order, and it was made and ordained a law by every person, and every one was required to observe it, who should be privileged to go to the land of Missouri to receive an inheritance. But this, I think, will apply, not only to those who should go to the land of Missouri, but to the people of God in every land. Wherever there is a people of God, the principles of the United Order are applicable if they would receive and obey them. Some have thought that the United Order was to be kept only by the people who should go up to the land of Missouri. Now this, I believe, is incorrect. It would seem very singular that the Latter-day Saints, when they receive the Gospel, should not have the privilege of uniting themselves, according to the principles of the celestial law, and that Jackson County should be the only place where this law might be observed." (Journal of Discourses, 19:343).
4. This day WILL come.
President George Q. Cannon prophetically declared the need and circumstances that would bring the re-institution of the Law of Consecration:
"The time must come when we must obey that which has been revealed to us as the Order of Enoch, when there shall be no rich and no poor among the Latter-day Saints; when wealth will not be a temptation; when every man will love his neighbor as he does himself; when every man and woman will labor for the good of all as much as for self. That day must come, and we may as well prepare our hearts for it, brethren, for as wealth increases I see more and more a necessity for the institution of such an order. As wealth increases, luxury and extravagance have more power over us. The necessity for such an order is very great, and God, undoubtedly, in his own time and way, will inspire his servant [the prophet] to introduce it among the people." (Journal of Discourses, 15:207.).
VII. AND TO “ARRANGE BY LOT THE INHERITANCES OF THE SAINTS WHOSE NAMES ARE FOUND, AND THE NAMES OF THEIR FATHERS, AND OF THEIR CHILDREN, ENROLLED IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD”
A. Determination of inheritances (of those living under the Law of Consecration) overseen by the “One Mighty and Strong”
Orson Pratt stated:
“How about our inheritance when we get back there, our farms, &c.? We need give ourselves no uneasiness about that, there will be no speculation, no grabbing in those days; no one to say—‘I am going to take up all the land round about so that I can speculate with it in selling it to my brethren.’ No such thing as this, not a solitary soul among all the Latter-day Saints will receive an inheritance in this way. Another person is to come for the special purpose of dividing to the Saints their inheritances (Journal of Discourses, Vol.17, p.306, February 7, 1875)
1. Will be a “judge in Israel”
“’And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children’. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 58:14, 17.)
2. Will be a Presiding Bishop
”This future bishop will also be called and appointed of God as Aaron of old, and as Edward Partridge was. He will be designated by the inspiration of the Lord, and will be accepted and sustained by the whole Church, as the law of God provides. His coming will not be the result of a wild, erratic movement, or the assumption of authority by a self-appointed egotist seeking power that he may lord it over the people; God's house is one of order, and admits of no such irregular procedure.
Certainly this prophecy does not allude in any way to any President of the Church, past, present, or to come. The revelation under consideration does not relate to matters that especially concern the duties of the President of the Church: but to the arranging ‘by lot the inheritances of the Saints,’ and that is the whole substance of the revelation, a matter distinctly placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Church” (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.119 - p.120).
3. Will be administered by ward bishops
“The bishop is the supervisor and administrator of the law of consecration and stewardship. The initial consecration and arrangement of stewardship is made to him (see D&C 42:31-33; 51:3-5; 58:33, 55). He also has the responsibility for the management of the storehouse (see D&C 42:34; 51:13; 72:9-10). One of the bishop's most important duties is to administer to the needs of the poor (see D&C 42:33-35, 39; 78:3; 84:112), the fatherless, the widows, and the orphans (see D&C 83:6). As a judge in Israel (see D&C 107:74), the bishop also receives the account of the stewardship of each covenant member of the order -- a regular settlement and accounting (see D&C 72:5-7).
In the Zion community, the bishop also appoints the inheritance (see D&C 48:6; 57:15; 85:1; 124:21)” (Church History Institute Manual, Enrichment Section L).
B. Criteria for receiving an inheritances
1. Have realistic expectations of their destiny
“Now, brother William, if what I have said is true, how careful had men ought to be what they do in these last days, lest they are cut short of their expectations, and they that think they stand should fall, because they keep not the Lord's commandments; while you, who do the will of the Lord and keep his commandments, have need to rejoice with unspeakable joy, for such shall be exalted very high, and shall be lifted up in triumph above all the kingdoms of this world” (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted in Times and Seasons, Vol.5, p.674)
2. Must be a member of the church
"It is contrary to the will and commandment of God, that those who receive not their inheritances by consecration, agreeably to His law, which He has given, that He may tithe His people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God” (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted by James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.110)
3. Are not unfaithful priesthood holders, apostates or excommunicants
“And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off from the Church; as well as the lesser Priesthood, or the members, in that day, shall not find an inheritance among the Saints of the Most High; therefore it shall he done unto them, as unto the children of the priest, as will be found recorded in the second chapter and sixty-first and sixty-second verses of Ezra." (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted by James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.110)
4. Genealogy recorded with the Church
“…neither is their [those who receive not their inheritances by consecration] genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the Church;” (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted by James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.110)
5. Genealogy found in the Book of the Law of God
“… their [those who receive not their inheritances by consecration] names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the Law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts” (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted by James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.110)
The one mighty and strong shall “arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints, whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the Law of God…” (The Prophet to William W. Phelps, November the 27th, 1832, as quoted by James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.4, p.110)
6. Names written in “The Book of Rememberance”
D&C 85:9 And all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth.