Elijah And The Family

INTRODUCTION

What is life really all about? Where did we come from? What is the purpose of this life? When we die, what happens to us? Christians believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of Our Heavenly Father. He lives today. But what about us, will we be with friends and loved ones in life after death? What part does the Prophet Elijah play in God’s Eternal Plan for us?

This is a religious book with eternal consequences and answers the above questions.

There is an added urgency to this book, as we draw closer to the Second Coming of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Certainly, as you read these pages, you will see my attempt to alert you, warn you, if you will, to the coming trials and tribulations the world will be going through. This book points out the preparation we should be going through if we are truly Christians. We need to prepare ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually for the coming months and years as we will be tested as never before. Today’s headlines are disturbing and shocking. The trend seems to be same-sex marriage, legalize marijuana and no accountability for our actions. Political groups appear to be abandoning God and his teachings, forgetting morals. No holds barred. If it feels good, then do it: it is acceptable.

The writer assumes the reader has a belief in an Eternal Being who we refer to as Our Father in Heaven and not limited to Christians only. As we look at God’s great creations, the Universe, the Earth and all living things, we see an extraordinary organization governed by laws and order. Nothing has been left to chance. It is a great, masterful work of achievement.

Christian believers know that God’s Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected and lives even now. Some question the reality of life after death. This book helps our understanding of this and other wonders of God and the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. It explains the Eternal Plan of Happiness God has for all His children, past, present and future.

The important mission of Elijah, the Prophet of the Old Testament, advances the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s purposes are perfectly planned and executed. This book is centered in the Eternal Plan of Happiness for God’s spiritual children. The theme of the book is centered in the ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, the Mission of Elijah and the subsequent necessity of family tree research as a result of Elijah’s restoration of certain priesthood sealing keys and powers, thus assuring family unity in eternity. It begs the reader to search ones personal, spiritual soul and determine where you stand in your relationship with God.

The world needs to change. We need to change. Over the decades, the world has been slipping into self-destruction. We accommodate special interest groups at the expense of offending God by serious violations of His revealed standards of conduct which He has not changed. We need to return to God’s standards, His commandments. Do you think He is proud of our record in keeping His commandments or changing them without His approval?

We live in a very, very wicked world, so evil a time as never before known by human kind. The earth, as predicted, is turning to and fro like an unguided ship on a stormy sea. Never in the history of the world have there been such wickedness, selfishness and corruption. It exceeds the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The violation of God’s commandments and laws are at an all-time high. There seems to be no guilt, no shame, no holds barred, in violating God’s Standards. Some seem quick and proud to be rebellious, defiant and as a willing participant in evil. False witness is the order of the day. Things will never be the same again, as in the good old days.

The standards of decency have hit rock bottom, an all time low. Too many of us are sitting on the sidelines watching, doing nothing about the direction we are going or the conditions in the world, even though we know our own lives are impacted.

What will change our course? Maybe nothing! What we need is for the honest in heart to step forward, stand up and be counted. How is this to be done? By repenting, setting examples and living righteously and keeping God’s commandments. Not embracing mans!

Where do we start? IN THE FAMILY! This is where we have the most influence and where family traditions and standards influence.

Elijah, the ancient prophet, never tasted death (2 Kings 2:11). He has a significant Mission from Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ relating to the human family.

We declare that Elijah, the Prophet, has returned to the earth to unite families in fulfillment of Malachi’s promise:

5 Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

(Malachi 4:5-6.)

This book explains the ATONEMENT, Elijah’s Mission and how this impacts the need for family history and genealogical research. There is also an abundance of related religious history of significance showing God’s relationship with man and the importance of the family to Heavenly Parents.

Robert Booth, Genealogy Expert Supreme in Saint George, Utah, said Family history is the placing of people into family and historical context, with stories, historical, political, economic, social, facts, etc. We often find these in personal histories, history books, new items, and publications by others that clarify what is happening around the subject people we are studying. Family histories put the flesh on the bones.

Genealogy is the study of names, dates, places, and relationships.

It is challenging and rewarding and is the number one hobby for internet users. A Maritz Marketing poll indicates that 60% of Americans say they are somewhat interested in tracing their family history. Tracing our ancestors back as far as possible has brought many people great satisfaction and pleasure. Each individual ancestral relative previously unknown and genealogically discovered provides its own special moment. The discovery of genealogical records rich with valuable information provides a magnetic lure of the art of genealogy. Otherwise, this information would remain unknown or untouched or lost.

Alex Haley, author of the masterpiece book ROOTS, stated:

A nation’s history is only the selective histories of all its people. It is only through an unfolding of the people’s history that a nation’s culture can be studied in its fullest meaning.

(Jessie Carney Smith, ed., Ethnic Genealogy, A Research Guide, Westport: Greenwood Press, 1983, Foreword.)

He wrote further:

My book ROOTS likely would never have been realized without conscious assistance from some living family elders and, I truly believe, and unconscious inspiration from ancestors in their graves. Oral history, the telling and retelling of family stories, was practiced throughout my family’s generations; the elders fed the interest of their children and grandchildren in continuing the tradition this is how the stories finally reached me.

(Jessie Carney Smith, ed., Ethnic Genealogy, A Research Guide, Westport: Green Press, 1983 Forward.)

And this on the family:

In every conceivable manner, the family is our link to our past, and the bridge to our future.

Remember: You have to know your own history to know yourself. We are the sum total of our ancestors who are members of our family.

A serious approach to seeking one’s roots requires disciplined dedication to a pursuit that brings a sense of fulfillment as one’s ancestors becomes real, live people.

This book is important for our times. It yells out for honest men and women to take an active part in combating what is happening in the world. It requires courage and action! There is added importance to seek out our dead ancestors and complete family histories.

The religious overtones of this book comes from the historical context and intents to educate, inform and teach about God’s Eternal Plan of Happiness, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

ELIJAH AND THE FAMILY is unique. Elijah, the Prophet, performed an important mission impacting every human being, especially the family unit. His mission took place in three dispensations: (1) in Old Testament times, (2) in the Meridian of Times, and (3) in our day, which is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. But his mission impacts all dispensations of the earth and will extend into the millennium.

This book is NOT for everyone. It is dedicated to the honest in heart; therefore, some readers will be uncomfortable with its content and premise. There is an army of critics who will protest this work. Fault finding is the order of the day and human beings fight the spiritual things of God because they lack spiritual understanding.

There is purpose for our existence and our future is certain. God knew we would face challenges when He placed us here. He knew we would be less than perfect and He prepared a way for us to overcome by providing a Savior. Because of the ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, everyone has the assurance of salvation or life after death. But not all of God’s children will receive equal glory or rewards. And that is what this book is about: to teach about Elijah and prepare the honest in heart to reach the highest rewards and blessings possible by keeping God’s commandments. Through the Atonement and Elijah’s mission, we will realize lofty rewards individually and in family units.

The ATONEMENT has existed from the beginning, but was triggered as a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The ATONEMENT demonstrates the love Heavenly Father has for each of us. Through his sacrifice, Jesus Christ took upon himself the sins of all mankind. We may never fully understand or comprehend how the ATONEMENT works, but it is essential for our return to God’s presence.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:16-17.)

This book is about truth revealed by holy writ and the principle of modern revelation. It is about life, yours, mine, and anyone who has or who will live on this earth!

Everyone has three important stages of existence or estates. Our first estate was in Pre-Earth Life with Heavenly Parents. God approved a plan to send His Son to ransom us from sin. Jesus unselfish act is called the ATONEMENT. Our second estate is called Mortality or Earth Life. Because of the ATONEMENT, everyone who has or will live on this earth, will die and inherit a third estate called Post-Mortal Life or Immortality, including those who never heard of Jesus Christ. In other words, everyone will receive salvation regardless of the life lived. Those who live exemplary, righteous lives, will be blessed with a condition called Eternal Life. Eternal Life is to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We will be judged and awarded a glory or a mansion based on the life we live. (See: John 14:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 40-42.)

There are three great events that have or will occur in all of eternity according to Bruce R. McConkie and they are: (1) The creation of the heavens and earth, of man and all forms of life, (2) The fall of man (Adam and Eve), which includes all forms of life and the earth, and (3) The infinite and eternal atonement, which ransoms man and all living things, as well as the earth, from a fallen state, so salvation is provided to earth and all living things, thus completing God’s eternal plans.

These three pillars of eternity are woven together into one grand tapestry known as the eternal plan of salvation. Its center core is that of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and is the heart of revealed religion. Salvation is in Christ and it brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

It is through the creation, the fall and the atonement through which the purposes of God are accomplished, being divine and eternal. The ATONEMENT applies to everyone regardless of when they lived or will live or their religious beliefs or knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Elijah contributes important, essential elements in bringing together the living and dead through the restoration of important priesthood sealing powers that are recognized in heaven and on earth, thus making eternity complete.

Our Heavenly Father established His plan of happiness before this world began where all mankind—past, present, and future—are given the hope of eternal progression. Adam’s transgression separated mortals from God and unless there was a way found to break the bands of death, man would be forever lost. Jesus Christ provides the way with the necessary sacrifice by taking upon Himself the sins of mankind.

In the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross, Jesus Christ fulfilled this sacrifice. He did so willingly on behalf of all of God’s children. Without his atoning sacrifice we would be incapable of repenting of our sins and we would be denied the blessings of eternity.

22 For in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

(1 Corinthians 15:22.)

Elijah’s mission permits man to take necessary steps to support the ATONEMENT and prepare families for eternity in complete compliance with the terms and conditions of this ATONEMENT. This mission brings together all human beings in family units. Elijah is a significant player in God’s relationship with his children. His mission encompasses family history and genealogical research, as well as completed temple ordinances which binds families as units.

The author extends to the reader a sincere invitation to examine this work with an open mind and to expand one’s understanding and appreciation for the importance of the material presented herein. It is important to look at the big picture, realizing how great and beautiful this Plan of Happiness is for all mankind.

When we have the true picture, our hearts will swell with love and appreciation to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for providing us with such great eternal opportunities and possibilities.

Chapter 1

FAMILY IN HEAVEN

We are all children of loving, Heavenly Parents. Everyone who has or who will live on the earth has the same Heavenly Parents. We came to this earth from that spiritual family. We are all literally brothers and sisters. Jesus Christ was the first spirit born to Our Heavenly Parents, so naturally, He is our Elder brother.

Being spiritual children from this family, we have potential to develop divine qualities and become like God. Under God’s direction, Jesus created the earth and God populated the earth with these spiritual children from heaven.

None of us recall life there, if so, we would not have to live by faith here. Consider a few scriptures referencing a pre-existence state:

SPIRIT CHILDREN OF HEAVENLY FATHER:

The God of the spirit of all flesh. Numbers 16:22

All of you are children of the most High. Psalm 82:6

Ye are the sons of the living God. Hosea 1:10

Have we not all one father? Malachi 2:10

...we are the offspring of God... Acts 17:29

The Spirit itself bareth witness with our spirit, that we

are the children of God: Romans 8:16

...God and Father of all, Ephesians 4:6

...all the sons of God shouted for joy. Job 38:7

I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Luke 10:18

The scriptures are replete with references to foreordination of chosen spirit children, assigned to come forth to earth at special times to perform missions to the children of men.

Pre-existence appointments made according to the foreknowledge of God the father.

1 Peter 1:2

Foreordination to be a prophet unto the nations. Before I formed thee in the belly...I ordained thee a prophet…

Jeremiah 1:5

Moses taught that the whole host of spirits born in the lineage of Jacob were before appointed to come through the chosen line.

Deuteronomy 32:7-8

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

The lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8

John the Baptist received a pre-mortal commission to prepare the way for the first coming of the SON of Man.

Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:3

The temporal rule of Cyrus and the mission he was to perform as it affected the Lord’s Israel was foretold by Isaiah long before the birth of that earthly ruler.

Isaiah 44:28; 45

GRAND COUNCIL IN HEAVEN

A Grand Council was held in Heaven prior to our coming here. We were taught about the wonderful Plan of Happiness. God taught us of our need to come to earth to receive bodies of flesh and bones and gain mortal experiences. And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. (Abraham 3:25.)

We were taught in this Grand Council, that while on earth, we would sin and need a Savior to lift us up out of a fallen state and help us overcome our sins. As a result of being mortal, each of us would die. The Savior would help us overcome death through a resurrection. Physical death and resurrection are elements of the Atonement. (Physical death is the separation of the Spirit Body and the Physical Body. At death, we remain in our mortal state in the spirit world until we are resurrected. Resurrection is the reuniting of the Spirit Body and the Physical Body.)

In this Grand Council, Jesus stepped forward and responded to the need for a Savior: Here am I, send me. (Abraham 3:27.) Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. (Moses 4:2.) His plan was that the Father’s will would be done and the glory be to the Father. Lucifer, the son of the morning, stepped forward and said, send me, I will be they son and I will save everyone, not one soul will be lost. Therefore, I will do it and give me thine honor.

Lucifer (Satan) indicated he would save every soul under his plan, as there would be no such thing as free agency. All glory would be his and he would stand next to God. Heavenly Father chose Jesus as our Savior.

Satan became angry and kept not his first estate. That very day there were many that followed him.

One of the great gifts given to man is that of free agency, the power to act for ourselves. Agency was one of the major issues we faced in that Grand Council. Agency requires that there be choices, freedom to choose. There must be opposites: good and evil. When we subscribe to Satan’s temptations, we limit the choices we have available. We are free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of these choices.

We made the right choices in heaven because they qualified us to come to this earth. It is now up to us, individually, to grow in faith, wisdom, and knowledge, to enable us to conform to eternal laws and principles and return to our Father in Heaven.

WAR IN HEAVEN:

The Book of Revelations tells about a war in heaven among Heavenly Father’s children:

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

12 Therefore, rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

(Revelations 12:7-9,12.)

A third of the hosts of heaven were cast out due to disobedience. (D&C 29:46). They were cast out with Satan, who is real, who works his magic to deceive. The book of Jude tells us,

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he [Jesus] hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the day.

(Jude 6.)

This great war was over the principle of freedom, the right to choose. And such has been the battle, even down to the day in which we live. This rebellion is against light and truth. It is interesting to note there were no neutrals in heaven. All took sides: either with Jesus or with Satan. War is ugly, a vicious thing which causes men to act irresponsibly and selfishly. It causes cheating, hatred and immorality. But the biggest casualty is the breakup of families. Satan knows this and wars have been his tool since the beginning. He hates a united family to exist.

The great scholar, Hugh Nibley declared:

Human liberty is the mainspring of human progress. The one great revolution in the world is the revolution of human liberty. This was the paramount issue in the great council in heaven before this earth life. It has been the issue throughout the ages. It is the issue today...

(Hugh Nibley, Since Cumorah, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1967, 46:12.)

The Lord asked Job:

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

(Job 38:4-7.)

Each of us was among these morning stars who shouted for joy. We were Heavenly Father’s faithful children, who chose to follow Jesus plan.

Isaiah adds this:

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

(Isaiah 14:12-14.)

Satan sought to exalt himself above God and to be a ruler over all of God’s children. What arrogance!

With the events of September 11, 2001, it is clear that this battle for free agency which started in heaven continues today. This is not a political statement. It is a fact. It is a battle that will rage until the millennium comes, when there will be 1,000 years of peace before the final battle that will follow between Christ and Satan and his army of followers.

From the New Testament we find:

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

(James 4:1.)

War is of the devil and is born of lust. It is satanic and the most evil state that exists on earth. Obviously, Satan is organized and systematic in carrying out murder, robbery, sexual immorality and all other evil things one might imagine. All this to weaken the family and thwart the purposes of the atonement.

The family is under assault and has been since the beginning. It existed in the days of Adam and Eve. Satan has never let up since his early days in heaven when his plan was rejected. If there are any who deny the existence of Satan and his followers, then I must say, Satan has achieved his goal to deceive.

Elijah offers a grand solution to help families and to unite them in their preparation for existing in eternity as family units. This was known in our Pre-earth estate and is incorporated in that Great Plan of Happiness given us by Our Father in Heaven.

ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

We must never forget the importance of the Atonement as set forth in that Grand Council in Heaven held by the Gods as part of our plan to come here to this earth. Provision was made by a wise Heavenly Father to offset the results of the Fall of Adam and Eve.

We know that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. He is our Savior from sin and death. He is the Light of the World and He is our Creator. And this is the most important knowledge we can have, to know of his ATONEMENT. It is an occasion on which a God paid a heavy ransom to reclaim fallen men and removed the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve.

Jesus Christ was the first immortal in the flesh, but he paid a heavy price concerning the transgression of the first mortal man (Adam). Through the atonement, all men will be raised in immortality. For those who believe and obey, they shall gain eternal life in the Father’s kingdom. The atonement reconciles man with God, it provides a Savior, a Redeemer for us mortals. It provides man an advocate and intercessor with God. The atonement is the great and eternal plan of Happiness.

The Third Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states:

We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

(The Articles of Faith, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3rd Article.)

So we see the importance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to every living thing.

Think about the ATONEMENT. If Jesus Christ did NOT make the supreme sacrifice, then all mankind, the human family, would have to lie in their graves throughout eternity without any hope.

We are richly blessed because of the power and effects of the Atonement provided us by Jesus Christ whereby man can be restored to the presence of the Father. We too will one day be resurrected because of his sacrifice for each of us. Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Because of this, one day the tombs will be opened and the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and they shall come forth. Those who have done good will be a part of the resurrection of the just and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of the unjust.

And this important declaration by Elder Daniel Ludlow:

I am also convinced that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events because it is the proof of his divinity. If Jesus Christ is indeed resurrected from the dead and has provided the resurrection for all of us, then he has power over death, which in turn proves he has the powers of God, and is indeed the Son of God, as he so proclaimed."

(Selected Writings of Daniel H. Ludlow. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000, p. 261.)

A point of understanding is presented here for the edification of the reader. Jesus Christ is Father because of the atonement.

CHRIST THE FATHER AND THE SON

Scriptures teach that Jesus is both the Father and the Son. Logic tells us that he is the Son of God by birth, this being both in spirit and in the flesh. Jesus is also the Father because of the work he performed. Joseph Fielding Smith teaches:

The Savior becomes our Father, in the sense in which this term is used in the scriptures, because he offers us life, eternal life, through the atonement, which he made for us. In the wonderful instruction by King Benjamin we find this: ‘And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and daughters.

(Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, ed. Bruce R. McConkie, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 3 vols., 1954-56, vol.1, pp 28-9.)

The Savior shed His blood for us. His atonement gives us an opportunity to be saved, but only after we have done all we can to save ourselves by obedience to the laws of His gospel. Gospel principles are promises by which the plans of God unfold for us.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie puts the atonement in complete perspective when he declares to mankind:

"The doctrine of the atonement embraces, sustains, supports, and gives life and force to all other gospel doctrines. It is the foundation upon which all truth rests, and all things grow out of it and come because of it. Indeed, the atonement is the gospel.."

(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, p.60.)

From the Book of Mormon we find a summary statement to the atonement:

16 ...as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.

17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

18 For behold he guideth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement