LDS Last Days Prophecy and Gospel Discussions

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, Ch2 of Holy Priesthood Vol 2 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=30 We have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we are entitled to receive the gifts of the Spirit–those wondrous spiritual endowments which set us apart from the world and raise us above carnal things. This second blessing is a composition of four parts: (1) the gift of the Holy Ghost; (2) gifts of the Spirit; (3...

THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL, Ch1 of Holy Priesthood Volume 2 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=122 We are members of the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth, and we have received the fulness of the everlasting gospel. One of the most efficient organizations in the world was the German Army. Another has proved to be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of eac...

  CONCLUSION, Chapter 8 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 and Introduction to Holy Priesthood Volume  Holy Priesthood Volume 1http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 Holy Priesthood Volume 2 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=122 The Holy Priesthood is a special privilege and power given to only a few, and it is circumscribed with specific bounds and conditions upon which it can be exercised. Like the Ark of the...

  Conclusion: Questions and Problems, P6 of Ch 7 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 We now live in a day of perfections. Science, literature, commercial industry, and indeed nearly everything is being developed to its best possible capacity. Books, manuals and courses of instruction are available on every conceivable subject. Gone are the old cowboy days of rough, callo...

  Which Way Was Used When You Were Ordained? P5 of Ch7 of Holy Priesthood Vol 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 (Use full name) by the authority of the Holy Priesthood in us vested, we lay our hands upon your head and ordain you an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and bestow upon you all the rights, powers and authority pertaining to this office and calling in the Melch...

The Official Change in Conferring and Ordaining, Part 4 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 From 1830 until 1921, in spite of contradictions and confusion, the “generally accepted” procedure of the Church was to first confer Priesthood and then ordain men to offices in the Church. However, 2-1/2 years after Heber J. Grant became president, the First Presidency of the LDS...

  First the Priesthood, Then the Office, P3 of Ch7 of Holy priesthood V1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=30 Ten years after Brigham Young died, the issue of Priesthood ordination came up in the higher councils of the Church. Some questioned a man’s having Priesthood when he had been given only an office in the Church. Abraham Cannon believed that Priesthood must first be conferred upon a man. In hi...

    Set Form vs. Free Expression in Ordinations, Part 2 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1   The wording in Priesthood conferrals and ordinations to Priesthood office has been an ongoing problem in the LDS Church for over 100 years, the issue being between a set form or a free expression. To what extent either of these methods is used may decide the valid reception of the Priesthood or merely receiving a...

CONFERRAL AND ORDINATIONS OF THE PRIESTHOOD, P1 of Ch7 of Holy priesthood V1   Brethren, it is a glorious privilege to have the priesthood of God, which has power that is greater than that held by kings and emperors. (Priesthood, p. 6, Spencer W. Kimball)   Priesthood, a Sacred Privilege There is no greater privilege on earth than possessing the Priesthood, nor is there any greater power. For this...

From Persecuted to Persecutor, Part 4  of Chapter 6 of Holy priesthood volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 It has been said that those who have been persecuted will, when their turn comes, become persecutors. This has been said concerning us. “Oh,” it has been said, “you are now in the minority. It is all very well to plead for liberty and contend for the rights of man. But wait. If you ev...

The Need for Persecution, Part 3 of Chapter 6 of Holy priesthood volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. (Eccles. 2:5)   The worst forms of persecution seem to be the result of religious fanatics against other religious people–bringing judgment against the wicked, and purification and glory to the innocent. These su...

  The Great Reformation, Part 2 of Chapter 6 of Holy priesthood volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120   Jesus told His disciples, “The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” (John 16:2) The Romans declared that it was for a lawful and worthy cause that Christians be killed, so they devised many entertaining ways to torture and execute them. They believ...

OPPOSITION AND PERSECUTION, Part 1 of Chapter 6 of Holy priesthood volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 Introduction My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high. (D & C 121:7-8) In the beginning Lucifer rebelled against Christ which started an opposition that was to cont...

  GIFTS AND PROMISES OF THE PRIESTHOOD P4 of CH5 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1  Decrease of Spiritual Gifts Commenting on the gifts of the Gospel, Joseph Smith said: . . . by quoting the commission given to the ancient Apostles in Mark, 16th chapter, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th verses, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; bu...

 GIFTS AND PROMISES OF THE PRIESTHOOD P3 of CH5 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 Visitation of Angels Angels of God are messengers of God who work with those bearing the Priesthood on earth. They make up the “heavenly hosts” who act as servants, revelators and even the armies of heaven. These “angels can function as mediators between God and man. They can pass back and forth from the spiritual realm to...

 GIFTS AND PROMISES OF THE PRIESTHOOD P2 of CH5 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 Dreams and Visions Visions and dreams have constituted a means of communication between God and men in every dispensation of the Priesthood. (The Articles of Faith, Talmage, p. 226) Probably every prophet has enjoyed the gift of dreams, for the Lord mentioned that He could “speak in a dre...

   GIFTS AND PROMISES OF THE PRIESTHOOD P2 of CH5 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 Dreams and Visions Visions and dreams have constituted a means of communication between God and men in every dispensation of the Priesthood. (The Articles of Faith, Talmage, p. 226) Probably every prophet has enjoyed the gift of dreams, for the Lord mentioned that He could “speak in a d...

GIFTS AND PROMISES OF THE PRIESTHOOD P1 of CH5 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. (7th Article of Faith) Importance of Spiritual Gifts There is a particular reason and purpose for everything in creation. Temptation, evil, and even the devil have a place and purpose...

  Protecting The Rights of Free Agency, Part  2 of Chapter 4 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 Protecting the Rights of Free Agency Over whom does it exercise power, then? Over the spirits and over the elements–never over one’s fellow men, whose free agency is absolute and inalienable. (Nibley, op cit., p. 11) An intense battle existed before the foundation of this wor...

POWERS OF THE PRIESTHOOD, Part 1 of Chapter 4 of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120   The Priesthood in the last days has to be manifested in sufficient power to bear off the kingdom of God triumphant, that all Israel may be gathered and saved. * * * The Priesthood appears greater than the powers of the earth. The powers of the Priesthood must be manifest before the eyes o...

PRIESTHOOD VERSUS PRIESTCRAFT, Chapter 3 part of of Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. (2 Ne. 26:29) A priest is required to be different fro...

AN HISTORICAL REVIEW, Chapter 2 part 2 of The Holy Priesthood Volume 1 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=120 The Aaronic Priesthood was given according to the ability and worthiness of the children of Israel. If they would have lived higher laws, they would have received the higher Priesthood. Hence, Priesthood is commensurate with the law. Paul says: If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Pri...

Old Testament Priesthood The Priesthood came to this earth with Adam. In fact, it originated on this earth with its creation, as the Prophet Joseph Smith explained: The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Genesis 1:26-28. He had dominion given h...

Many different descriptions have been given of the Priesthood, but still we have only a limited understanding of it. Brigham Young defined it as an “invisible, almighty, God-like power,” (JD 3:259) and later “a perfect order and system of government”. (JD 13:242). These are only a couple of many  descriptions of this most important feature of the Gospel. The Priesthood is often referred to in the...

DEFINITION OF PRIESTHOOD Many different descriptions have been given of the Priesthood, but still we have only a limited understanding of it. Brigham Young defined it as an “invisible, almighty, God-like power,” (JD 3:259) and later “a perfect order and system of government”. (JD 13:242). These are only a couple of many  descriptions of this most important feature of the Gospel. The Priesthood is...