LDS ordinance of second endowment
A COMPILATION OF QUOTATIONS ON SECOND ANOINTINGS,
CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN,
KINGS & PRIESTS/QUEENS & PRIESTESSES,
& FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
1. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 63-66; January 22, 1834; Joseph Smith Jr.
In the 22nd chapter of Luke’s account of the Messiah, we find the kingdom of heaven likened unto a king who made a marriage for his son. That this son was the Messiah will not be disputed, since it was the kingdom of heaven that was represented in the parable; and that the Saints, or those who are found faithful to the Lord, are the individuals who will be found worthy to inherit a seat at the marriage supper, is evident from the sayings of John in the Revelation where he represents the sound which he heard in heaven to be like a great multitude, or like the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: For the fine linen is the righteousness of the Saints (Rev. 19).
That those who keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His statutes to the end, are the only individuals permitted to sit at this glorious feast, is evident from the following items in Paul’s last letter to Timothy, which was written just previous to his death,–he says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” * * * Reflect for a moment, brethren, and enquire, whether you would consider yourselves worthy a seat at the marriage feast with Paul and others like him, if you had been unfaithful? Had you not fought the good fight, and kept the faith, could you expect to receive? Have you a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness from the hand of the Lord, with the Church of the Firstborn? Here then, we understand, that Paul rested his hope in Christ, because he had kept the faith, and loved His appearing and from His hand he had a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness.
If the Saints are not to reign, for what purpose are they crowned? * * * John represents the sound which he heard from heaven, as giving thanks and glory to God, saying that the Lamb was worthy to take the book and to open its seals; because he was slain, and had made them kings and priests unto God; and they should reign on the earth (see Rev. v). * * *
Most assuredly it is, however, that the ancients, though persecuted and afflicted by men, obtained from God promises of such weight and glory, that our hearts are often filled with gratitude that we are even permitted to look upon them while we contemplate that there is no respect of persons in His sight, and that in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is acceptable with Him. But from the few items previously quoted we can draw the conclusion that there is to be a day when all will be judged of their works, and rewarded according to the same; that those who have kept the faith will be crowned with a crown of righteousness; be clothed in white raiment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be free from every affliction, and reign with Christ on the earth. . . .
And though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients for they are not our property, merely because they were made to the ancient Saints, yet if we are the children of the Most High, and are called with the same calling with which they were called, and embrace the same covenant that they embraced, and are faithful to the testimony of our Lord as they were, we can approach the Father in the name of Christ as they approached Him, and for ourselves obtain the same promises. * * * . . .and when these promises are obtained, they will be promises directly to us, or they will do us no good. They will be communicated for our benefit, being our own property (through the gift of God), earned by our own diligence in keeping His commandments and walking uprightly before Him. If not, to what end serves the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and why was it ever communicated to us?
2. Young Women’s Journal, Vol. 4:215-16; Spring of 1836; Pres. Lorenzo Snow.
While attending college at Oberlin, Ohio, in the spring of 1836 I had occasion to visit Kirtland, some sixty miles distant, where two of my sisters were residing. * * * I became acquainted with Joseph Smith, his counselors, and a number of prominent leaders. * * *
Being at that time a young man, full of worldly aspirations, with bright prospects, and means to gratify my ambition in acquiring a liberal collegiate education; also having a host of wealthy, proud, aristocratic friends and relatives watching eagerly for my achieving high honors in life, of course, you can easily understand that it was a great trial, and required the strongest effort to form a resolution to abandon those prospects, disappoint expectations, join the poor, ignorant, despised Mormons, and follow Old Joe Smith, the money digger, as he and they were regarded.
Had I then understood, as I now know, the ultimate results of obedience to the gospel, a life of purity, and after its close an exaltation to the fulness of the Godhead, I should then have been ashamed to have called it a sacrifice. But in my ignorance, at that time, of its blessings and glories, it was the fiercest struggle of heart and will I ever experienced before or since. But through the help of the Lord, for I feel certain that He must have helped me, I laid my pride, worldly ambition and aspirations upon the altar, and as humble as a child went to the waters of baptism, received the ordinance administered by an Apostle, and afterwards the laying on of hands.
2a. History of the Church, Vol. 4:570; Wednesday, March 30, 1842; Remarks by Joseph Smith to the Female Relief Society.
All must act in concert, or nothing can be done, and should move according to the ancient Priesthood; hence the Saints should be a select people, separate from all the evils of the world—choice, virtuous, and holy. The Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of Priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch’s day, having all the gifts as illustrated to the Church in Paul’s epistles and teachings to the churches in his day. . . .
3. Journal of Heber C. Kimball; June 1842; Heber C. Kimball speaking.
June 1842 I was initiated into the ancient order, was washed and anointed and sealed and ordained [to become] a priest and so forth, in company with many others. That is, Joseph Smith, Hiram Smith, Wm. Law, Wm. Marks, Judge Adams, Brigham Young, Willard Richards, George Miller, Newel K. Whitney.
4. History of the Church, Vol. 5:139-40; 31 August 1842; Joseph Smith Jr.
My feelings at the present time are that inasmuch as the Lord Almighty has preserved me until today, He will continue to preserve me, by the united faith and prayers of the Saints, until I have fully accomplished my mission in this life, and so firmly established the dispensation of the fullness of the priesthood in the last days, that all the power of earth and hell can never prevail against it.
5. History of the Church, Vol. 5:212; 30 December 1842; Joseph Smith Jr.
While in conversation at Judge Adams during the evening, I said, Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign [as kings & priests] over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men [those who have not been baptized] on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God, and must eventually be destroyed from the earth.
6. Times & Seasons, Vol. 4:81-85; February 15, 1843; Joseph Smith’s poetic version of the revelation currently recorded in D&C 76, known as the vision.
For these overcome, by their faith and their works,
Being tried in their life-time, as purified gold,
And seal’d by the spirit of promise to life,
By men called of God, as was Aaron of old.
They are they, of the church of the first-born of God,
And unto whose hands he committeth all things;
For they hold the keys of the kingdom of heav’n,
And reign with the Saviour, as priests and as kings.
They’re priests of the order of Melchisedec,
Like Jesus (from whom is this highest reward),
Receiving a fulness of glory and light;
As written–they’re God’s, even sons of the Lord.
7. Words of the Prophets–Scriptural Items, Church Historical Dept; June 11, 1843; Discourse by Joseph Smith.
June 11 Joseph said the reason why the Jews were scattered and their House left unto them desolate was because they refused to be gathered that the fulness of the Priesthood might be revealed among them which never can be done but by the gathering of the People also [next page] the Order & Ordinances of the Kingdom were instituted by the Priesthood in the council of Heaven before the world was.
8. History of the Church, Vol. 5:423-24; Sunday, June 11, 1843; Discourse by Joseph Smith on the Gathering.
If a man gets a fullness of the priesthood of God, he has to get it in the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord. * * *
All men who become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom; and those who will not receive all the ordinances will come short of the fullness of that glory, if they do not lose the whole.
9. History of the Church, Vol. 5:527; 6 August 1843; See also Wilford Woodruff Journal under date.
Meeting of the Twelve Apostles in Philadelphia. * * *
President Brigham Young addressed the congregation at considerable length. * * * He also remarked that if any in the Church had the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, he did not know it. For any person to have the fullness of that priesthood, he must be a king and priest. A person may have a portion of that priesthood, the same as governors or judges of England have power from the king to transact business; but that does not make them kings of England. A person may be anointed king and priest long before he receives his kingdom.
10. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 320-21; 13 August 1843; Joseph Smith Jr.
The sound saluted by ears—“Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrew xii:22,23,24). What would it profit us to come unto the spirits of the just men, but to learn and come up to the standard of their knowledge? * * *
Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother.
The speaker continued to teach the doctrine of election and the sealing powers and principles, and spoke of the doctrine of election with the seed of Abraham, and the sealing of blessings upon his posterity, and the sealing of the fathers and children, according to the declarations of the prophets. He then spoke of Judge Higbee in the world of spirits, and the blessings which he would obtain, and of the kind spirit and disposition of Judge Higbee while living; none of which was reported. * * *
The world is reserved unto burning in the last days. He shall send Elijah the prophet, and he shall reveal the covenants of the fathers in relation to the children, and the covenants of the children in relation to the fathers.
11. Manuscript History of the Church, Ms/f/315/Book E-1; August 13, 1843.
Doctrine of election—sealing of the servants of our God on the top of their heads—’tis not the cross, as the catholics would have it. Doctrine of election to Abraham was in the relation to the seed. A man wishes to be embraced in the covenants of Abraham.
Judge Higby in the world of spirits is sealed unto the throne, and doctrine of election sealing the fathers and children together.
12. Joseph Smith Diary; 13 August 1843; Joseph Smith.
4 destroying angels holding power over the 4 quarters of the earth until the servents of God are sealed in their foreheads what is that seal. shall I tell you? No. Doctrine of Election sealing (of the servent forged) on the top of their heads. tis not the cross as the catholics would have it.
13. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 322-323; August 27, 1843; Remarks by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
What was the power of Melchizedek? ‘Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam. * * *
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure. * * * Men have to suffer [to wean us away from this world] that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavens.
14. Manuscript History of the Church, Ms/d/4409; August 27, 1843; CHD; Franklin D. Richards “Scriptural Items”.
There are 3 grand principles or orders of Priesthood portrayed in this chapter [Heb 7].
1st Levitical which was never able to administer a Blessing but only to bind heavy burdens which neither they nor their father [were] able to bear.
2 Abrahams Patriarchal power [endowment thru temple marriage] which is the greatest yet experienced in this church [the second anointing ordinance which makes a man a king & priest was introduced a month later].
3d That of Melchisedec who had still greater power even power of an endless life of which was our Lord Jesus Christ which also Abraham obtained by the offering of his son Isaac which was not the power of a Prophet nor apostle nor Patriarch only but of King & Priest to God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out the peace & law of endless Life to man & no man can attain to the Joint heirship with Jesus Christ without being administered to by one having the same power & Authority of Melchisedec.
15. Joseph Smith Diary; Sunday morning, August 27, 1843.
What was the power of Melchisedeck twas not P. of Aaron &c. a king & a priest to the most high God. a perfect law of Theocracy holding keys of power & blessings. stood as God to give laws to the people. administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam kingly powers of anointing.
16. James Burgess Notebook; Sunday morning, August 27, 1843.
Abraham’s priesthood was of greater power than Levi’s and Melchizedeck’s was of greater power than that of Abraham. * * * I ask was there any sealing power attending this priesthood [Aaronic] that would admit a man into the presence of God. Oh no, but Abraham’s was a more exalted power or priesthood he could talk and walk with God [thru the endowment & temple marriage] and yet consider how great this man was when even this patriarch Abraham gave a tenth part of all his spoils and then received a blessing under the hands of Melchesideck even the last law or a fulness of the law or priesthood which constituted him a king and preist after the order of Melchesideck or an endless life. * * * It is understood by many by reading this chapter [Heb 7] that Melchesedeck was king of some country or nation on the earth, but it was not so, In the original it reads king of Shaloam which signifies king of peace or righteousness and not of any country or nation. * * *
Men will set up stakes and say thus far will we go and no farther, did Abraham when called upon to offer his son, did the Saviour, no, view him fulfilling all righteousness again on the banks of Jordan, also on the Mount transfigured before Peter and John there receiving the fulness of priesthood or the law of God, setting up no stake but coming right up to the mark in all things here him after he returned from the Mount, did ever language of such magnitude fall from the lips of any man, hearken him. All power is given unto me both in heaven and the earth.
17. Joseph Smith “Diary”, Ms/d/155/Bx l/fd 7; September 28, 1843; See also History of the Church, Vol. 6:39.
Thursday Sept 28 1843 / 10 A.M. in the street going toward / printing office. 11 1/2 A.M. in Council over / the Store. Hyrum, Newell, Geo. M., Wa.d & A/ J.S., J.T., A.L., L.W., J.M.B..– and at 7 eve / met at the Mansion upper room prest. with / W.L., W.M. Baurak Ale was by common / consent, & unanimous voice chosen president / of the quorum. & anointed & ordn to the highest / and holiest order of the priesthood (& companion do.-) / Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Geo Miller, N.K. Whitney / Willard Richards, John Smith, John Taylor, / Amasa Lyman, Lucien Woodworth, J.M. Bernhisel / –Wm Law, Wm Marks, – President led in / prayers, that his days might be prolonged have dominion / over his enemies.. all their households be blessed / and all the church & world.
18. “Historian’s Office Private Journal, 1858”, p. 24, kept by Wilford Woodruff, Church Archives; September 28, 1843.
Feb 26 1867. While reading Dr Richards Journal we found the account of the Second Anointing of Presdent Joseph Smith, & by the Council of G. A. Smith Histo I record the Account in this Journal
Thursday Sept 28, 1843 The Council met over the Store Also at 7 o clok in the Evening met in an upper room in the mansion. Ther were present Joseph Smith, Hyram Smith, George Miller N. K. Whitney, Willard Richard John Smith John Taylor Amasa Lyman, Locian Woodworth, J M Bernhisel Wm Law., Wm Marks. Joseph Smith led in prayer he prayed that his days might be lengthened & had dominion over his Enemies, and all there Households be blessed & all the world Then by common conssnt Joseph Smith the Prophet Received his second Anointing of the Highest & Holiest order.
19. Joseph Smith “Diary”, Ms/d/155/Bx l/fd 7; October 1, 1843.
eve – Council met same as Thursday previous / except & S. Law, – Marks.Durphy..-&- Hirums wife.- Joseph / &c re – anointed, Law &c, anointed counselors.– prayer & singing adjourned to Wednesday eve.
[Joseph Smith given second anointing again.]
20. “Historian’s Office Private Journal, 1858”, p. 24, kept by Wilford Woodruff, Church Archives; October 8, 1843.
Sunday Oct 8 1843 Prayer Meeting at Josephs Hyrum Smith & Wife received his second Anointig
21. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 325-26; October 9, 1843; Discourse by Joseph Smith.
I assure the Saints that truth, in reference to these matters, can and may be known through the revelations of God in the way of His ordinances, and in answer to prayer. The Hebrew Church “came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.” What did they learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? Is it written? No. What they learned has not been and could not have been written. What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just? It was the established order of the kingdom of God: the keys of power and knowledge were with them to communicate to the saints. Hence the importance of understanding the distinction between the spirits of the just and angels. * * *
The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.
22. Joseph Smith “Diary”, Ms/d/155/Bx l/fd 7; November 22, 1843.
Prayer Meeting in the eve at old home. B Young [and wife anointed].
23. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 155; November 27, 1843.
–27–I attended prayer-meeting in the evening at President Joseph Smith’s. Bishop N. K. Whitney and wife were [second] anointed.
24. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 158; January 14, 1844.
–14 (Sunday) –Preached in the city. In the evening attended prayer meeting at the Assembly Room. My wife Mary Ann and I received our second anointing. [See 22 Nov 1843 for the first instance of this ordinance.]
25. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 330; January 20, 1844; Discourse by Joseph Smith.
But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations [as king and priest] and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah.
26. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 158; 20 January 1844. See also Journal of Wilford Woodruff under date for similar entry.
–20–Met with the Quorum; Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate received their second anointing.
27. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 158-59; 21 January 1844. See Journal of Wilford Woodruff under date for extended entry.
–21 (Sunday)–I met in the Assembly Room with the Quorum, [p. 159] and administered to Parley P. Pratt his second anointing.
28. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; 21 January 1844.
I met with the quorum in the evening had an interestin time many good exhortation were given by the brethren concerning the things of God P.P.P. received his 2d Anointing Joseph said concerning Parley P. Pratt that he had no wife sealed to him for Eternity as He would want a wife in the resurrection or els his glory would be cliped many arguments He used upon this subject which were rational & consistent. Br. Joseph said now what will we do with Elder P. P. Pratt He has no wife sealed to him for Eternity He had one living wife but she had a former Husband did not wish to be sealed to Parly, for Eternity now is it not right for Parley to have another wife that can [end of the entry]. . .
29. Wilford Woodruff–His Life & Labors, pp. 197-98; 1965 ed; by Matthias F. Cowley.
On January 21st, Elder Woodruff records the fact that Apostle Parley P. Pratt had just received second anointings and that he had been instructed by the Prophet that it was his duty to have his wife sealed to him for eternity in order that his glory might be full.
30. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 25 January 1844.
–25–The Quorum met at my house: Orson Hyde received his second anointing.
31. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 26 January 1844.
–26–The Twelve met at my house: Orson Pratt received his second anointing.
32. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 27 January 1844.
–27–We met at the Assembly Room: Willard Richards and his wife Jenetta were sealed and received their second anointing.
33. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 28 January 1844.
–28–The Quorum met in the Assembly Room. Wilford Woodruff and his wife Phebe W. were sealed and received their second anointing.
34. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 30 January 1844.
–30–The Quorum met at my house. John and Leonora Taylor were sealed and anointed.
[“J Taylor & Leonora Taylor received their 2d Anointing & sealing.”—taken from the Journal of Wilford Woodruff under date.]
35. Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 159; 31 January 1844.
–31–I met with the Quorum at my house. George A. and Bathsheba W. Smith were anointed, having been sealed on the 20th inst.
[“Geo A. Smith & wife Bathsheba / W. Bigler received their Second / Anointing, which was administered by Brigham Young / Prest of the Twelve”–taken from the Joseph Smith “Diary”, under date.]
[“Jan 31, 1844 Geo A Smith & Bathsheba W Smith Recvd our 2 anointing at B Young house”—taken from the George A. Smith 1841- 1845 Journal, Number 6, p. 148, Ms/f/96/#1/Archives.]
36. Journal of Heber C. Kimball, Book 91; 1 February 1844.
February the first 1844 my Self and wife Vilate was annonnted Preast and Preastest unto our God under the Hands of B Young, and by the ways of the Holy order.
37. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; 2 February 1844.
I met with the quorum for Prayer &c at / Elder Youngs Bro & Sister Wm W Phelps / attended with us Bro Phelps spoke concerning his / appointment as a Lawyer in Israel Brother & / Sister Wm W Phelps received their 2d Anointing & / sealing.
38. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; 3 February 1844.
In the evening of this day the quorum / met at Josephs store Brothers Wm Clayton & / Joseph Young met with them But I was not / present. * * * Joseph Young & wife & Wm Clayton / received their 2d Endowments &c.
39. History of the Church, Vol. 6:196; 4 February 1844; Discourse by Joseph Smith. This is not in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Sunday, 4.—I attended prayer-meeting with the quorum [of the Holy Order] in the assembly room, and made some remarks respecting the hundred and forty four thousand mentioned by John the Revelator, showing that the selection of persons to form that number had already commenced.
[This Joseph could confidently say inasmuch as over 20 brethren had just received their second anointings.]
40. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; 4 February 1844.
I met with the quorum in the evening Br / & Sister Lott was present we had a good / time in prayer Br Joseph gave us good instrution in meekness & humility the revelator / John remarks was quoted to in the evening / concerning the 144000 of the tribes of Israel / Cornelius P Lott & wife received their 2d Anointing / & sealing.
41. History of the Church, Vol. 6:224; 23 February 1844. Joseph Smith Jr.
Met with the Twelve in the assembly room concerning the Oregon and California Exploring Expedition; Hyrum and Sidney present. I told them I wanted an exploration of all that mountain country. Perhaps it would be best to go direct to Santa Fe. “Send twenty- five men: let them preach the Gospel wherever they go. * * * Appoint a leader, and let them beat up for volunteers. I want every man that goes to be a king and a priest. When he gets on the mountains he may want to talk with his God; when with the savage nations have power to govern, &c.