Matthew 17 Keys of the Kingdom given !

1. Matthew 17Keys of the Kingdom given!

2. What is the difference between being transfigured and translated? “The doctrine of translation is one of those mysteries that has eluded humankind. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this (Melchizedek) Priesthood. There are many things which belong to the powers of the Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in the last times” (Teachings, 170). Most protestant theologians make no specific reference to the doctrine of translated beings in their Bible dictionaries.

3. There place of habitation is that of the Terrestrial Order, and a place prepared for such characters He (God) held in reserve to be ministering angels” (Teachings, 170). With the exception of the account of Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) and Enoch (Gen 5:24; also Heb 11:5), there are no biblical passages which are generally interpreted as describing those who have been translated or that explain their circumstances after being translated. Some scholars acknowledge the possibility that the phrase in John 21:22-23 has reference to John being translated. Matthew 16:28 is another scripture that would support that thought. D&C 7 was a result of this dilemma. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that “translated beings cannot enter in to rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death” (HC, 4:425).

4. Peter’s pre-eminence is again illustrated in two of the following three stories. 1. Mount of Transfiguration 2. Healing of the lunatic 3. Tribute money Mount Tabor or Mt. Hermon? Most scholars believe it to be Mount Tabor. Mount Tabor is about 1,800 feet high and Mount Hermon is about 9,300 feet high. Both stand out apart in their area.

5. Peter is “every man,” therefore the Mount of Transfiguration is for all. They will receive their endowments. John the Baptist was there (Mark 9:4). They saw the earth transfigured (D&C 63:21). They received the “More Sure Word of Prophecy” (D&C 131:5). They received the keys to the Priesthood!

6. Matt. 17:1-13 Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: There it was, on the snowy mountain heights, after the Father had spoken from the cloud, that Moses and Elijah, both taken to heaven without tasting death, had come in their corporeal bodies to a temple not made with hands, and given for that day and time their keys and powers to Peter, James and John (Ensign, May 1983, 21-23).

7. The power of Elijah is sufficient to make our calling and election sure Joseph Smith (Teachings, 149-151).

8. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said the two most important things you can do in this life are: • Marry the right person, in the right place, by the right authority. • Live up to those covenants made in the Temple and endure to the end.

9. Matthew 17:14-21 The need for greater faith on the part of the Apostles Matthew 17:20 Faith as a grain of mustard seed “There is, however, a principle associated with this matter of faith that we should all understand. I used to feel that if I could develop enough faith, I could receive in every instance exactly what I prayed for. This belief was based upon such scriptures as Matthew 17:20. But at that time I had not learned that this promise was made upon the implied condition that one’s request be made in harmony with the will of God (Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, 69, April 1966, 301).

10. “We are assured by the Lord that the sick will be healed if the ordinance is performed, if there is sufficient faith and if the ill one is ‘not appointed unto death.” “The Lord does not always heal the sick, nor save those in hazardous zones. He does not always relieve suffering and distress, for even these seemingly undesirable conditions may be part of a purposeful plan” (Spencer W. Kimball, Tragedy or Destiny, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Provo, 6 December 1955, 5).

11. Matthew 17:24-27Tribute money “It amounted to about half a shekel or a didrachma, corresponding to about 33 cents in our money today. This tribute had been required of every male adult in Israel since the exodus” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 355).

12. The following story parallels the fish and coin account in the Bible: “Many Saints were driven out of Jackson County in 1833 and forced to cross the Missouri River. ‘The cost of ferrying across the river was one dollar and a half a trip for families, wagons, goods and teams. A few families had not the price and were left to camp on the Jackson side in constant fear that the mob, learning that they had not left the county, would kill them….

13. “A few of the brethren decided to try and catch some fish in the hope of persuading the ferrymen to accept them in lieu of money. They put out their lines in the evening. When the lines were drawn up three small fish and a large catfish were opened and three bright silver dollars were found inside - just enough to take the teams, wagons, and families over to the Clay County side of the river. One of the members wrote, ‘This was considered a miracle, and caused great rejoicing among us’” (Mary Elizabeth R. Lightner, cited in Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration, 1967, 187).

14. A Precious Promise “The Prophet Joseph Smith declared --- and he never taught a more comforting doctrine --- that the eternal sealing of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return.

15. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, in C.R., April 1929, 110).