Elder Anderson's Farewell talk outline

Olivia, as always, the center of attention at our song practice

The Bass section

Summary of the Restoration

First Vision started the process. 

                -restored the knowledge of the godhead

1. “The apostle Paul spotlighted the greatness of our day when he referred to it as the dispensation of the fulness of times, when God would gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are upon the earth. The ancient prophets eagerly looked forward to our time, and many of them almost lived in our day. They knew about our great knowledge explosion and the unheard-of miracles, wonders and wealth that it would produce. Jesus himself looked beyond the black night of the dark ages, caused by the apostasy from God in the meridian of time, and he saw our day, when the gospel would be restored in a fullness never before known in the world.” Elder Sterling W. Sill, Conference Report, April 1970, Afternoon Meeting, p.28 (Ephesians 1:10)

On May 15, 1829, John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood to the earth. He did so by laying his hands upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and speaking these words: “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness” (D&C 13:1).

In restoring the Aaronic Priesthood, John told Joseph and Oliver that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, “who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek” (Joseph Smith–History 1:72)

In a revelation dated August 1830, the Lord refers to the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood and notes the participation of James: "Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name" (D&C 27:12). In a later epistle to the Church (D&C 128:20), Joseph Smith, reviewing the major events of the restoration, mentions this event and locates its happening near the Susquehanna River between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York (see Melchizedek Priesthood: Restoration of).

According to Joseph Smith and later presidents of the Church, James, with Peter and John, received special authority and keys from Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. This was in addition to other keys received during their ordination as apostles that endowed them with power for their ministry as the Presidency of the Twelve and the Church (HC 3:386-87; DS 2:165).

The importance of the restoration of keys cannot be overstated. We would assume that many held the priesthood in the meridian day at the death of the Apostles. When those keys were lost, those holding the priesthood lost the right to utilize their priesthood. Priesthood must always function under the direction of those holding the keys to oversee its labors.

With these keys JS then could

                -build the Kirtland temple

                -restore the partial endowment

                - From Moses Joseph and Oliver were to receive “the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, (start of missionary work)

- the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north” (D&C 110:11).

                - the appearance of Elias to commit “the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed” (D&C 110:12). Thus the covenant God made with Abraham was restored.  So central is the family unit to the whole system and plan of salvation that the eternal union of the man and the woman in marriage by the authority of the priesthood is known as an “order of the priesthood” and is thought of as being synonymous with the “new and everlasting covenant” (D&C 131:2).

                - Elijah in fulfillment of one of the best known of Old Testament prophecies, Malachi 4:5–6. From Elijah’s rendering of the prophecy it is evident that its fulfillment centers around the revelation of the priesthood and the turning of the hearts of the children, rather than the fathers, to the ancient promises. Joseph Smith said that “the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal” (Teachings, p. 330; emphasis in original). He also said that when Malachi made this prophecy, he “had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days” and more particularly on “a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children” (D&C 128:17–18).

I would like to talk about two promises given with the restoration of these two priesthoods. 

1-The Melchizedek Priesthood has the authority to bring one into the presence of God,

2-The Aaronic Priesthood embodies the authority to bring one into the presence of angels. Significantly, it is after the restoration of this authority that the heavens were opened and the chain of angelic ministrants commenced their visits to the Prophet.

The scriptures are replete with evidence, that these heavenly visitors are ministering angels for the righteous.

-          an angel brought courage to Hagar (Gen. 16:7);

-          food to Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-8);

-          protected Daniel against the lions (Dan. 6:22); and

-          secured the release of Peter from prison. (Acts 12:17)

-          the angel of the Lord's presence saved Israel (Isa. 63:7-9),

-          "two angels" rescuing Lot from Sodom. In the account these angels are called "men" and the wicked inhabitants of Sodom so considered them. (Gen. 19.)

                When Elisha saw the chariots of Israel he told his servant “They who are with us are greater than they who are against us”

President Joseph F. Smith observed:  "When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants.  The ancient prophets who died were those who came to visit their fellow creatures upon the earth.  They came to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; it was such beings--holy beings if you please--who waited upon the Savior and administered to him on the Mount....  "In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh." (Gospel Doctrine, pp. 435-37.)

Pres Packer talks about interviewing missionaries and feeling the presence of the Elder’s ancestors being present in the room and prompting in what he is to say.

Use example of computor to show what angels have revealed to enable the preaching of the gospel to the entire world. 

The blessing associated with the MP enables us to return into the presence of God.

Oath and Covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood.  D&C 84:33

Read Promise

. Men receive the Melchizedek Priesthood by an oath and covenant.

A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. In the covenant of the priesthood the parties are the Father and the receiver of the priesthood. Each party to the covenant undertakes certain obligations. The receiver undertakes to magnify his calling in the priesthood. The Father, by oath and covenant, promises

- the receiver that if he does so magnify his priesthood he will be sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of his body; (see D&C 84:33)

- that he will become a member of ". . . the church and kingdom, and the elect of God," (ibid., 84:34) and

- receive the ". . . Father's kingdom; therefore," said the Savior, "all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (Ibid., 84:38.)

So central is the family unit to the whole system and plan of salvation that the eternal union of the man and the woman in marriage by the authority of the priesthood is known as an “order of the priesthood” and is thought of as being synonymous with the “new and everlasting covenant” (D&C 131:2).

                Following Elias came Elijah in fulfillment of one of the best known of Old Testament prophecies, Malachi 4:5–6. From Elijah’s rendering of the prophecy it is evident that its fulfillment centers around the revelation of the priesthood and the turning of the hearts of the children, rather than the fathers, to the ancient promises. Joseph Smith said that “the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal” (Teachings, p. 330; emphasis in original). He also said that when Malachi made this prophecy, he “had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days” and more particularly on “a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children” (D&C 128:17–18).

Revelation given to scientists to enable the restoration of all things.  Computers, internet, television, networking

Bare testimony of the restoration