“The Promises Made to the Fathers”

1. “The Promises Made to the Fathers”

2. “Plant into the Heart the promises” To Joseph Smith, Moroni quoted Malachi’s prophecy of Elijah’s return, but with a variation— King James Version of Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Moroni’s renditionin JS Hist 1: 38; also D&C 2:1 Behold,I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the handof Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

3. “Plant into the Heart the promises” King James Version of Malachi 4:6 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. Moroni’s renditionin JS Hist 1: 38; also D&C 2:1 And he shall plant inthe heartsof the children the promises made to the fathers, and the heartsof the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the wholeearthwould be utterly wasted at his coming.(D&C 2:1-3; JS Hist 1: 38-39)

4. Moroni’s rendition raises some important questions— Who are the fathers? Who are the children? What are the promises? How are “the promises made the fathers” planted in the hearts? If this does not happen, why will the earth be utterly wasted at the Lord’s coming?

5. Who are the Fathers? D&C 27:10 And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promisesremain;

6. Who are the Fathers? D&C 107:40-41 The order of this priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner . . .

7. Who are the Fathers? An examination of the scriptures reveal a focus on four sets of fathers and the promises made to each set.

8. Who are the Fathers?

9. Who are the Fathers?

10. Who are the Fathers?

11. Who are the Fathers?

12. Who are the Fathers?

13. There are a few things we need to keep in mind as we study “the promises made to the fathers”--

14. First . . . . • President Joseph F. Smith(1838-1918) • “The Lord never did anything that was notessential or that was superfluous.” (Conference Report, Nov 1901, 1; emphasis added)

15. First . . . . • President Joseph F. Smith(1838-1918) • “The Lord never did anything that was notessential or that was superfluous.” (Conference Report, Nov 1901, 1; emphasis added) • Therefore we can conclude . . . .

16. Promises made to the fathers are important to God’s eternal plan--

17. The importance of “the promises made to the fathers can be seen in Moroni’s message to Joseph Smith (21-21 Sep 1823)--

18. The importance of “the promises made to the fathers can be seen in Moroni’s message to Joseph Smith (21-21 Sep 1823)-- “This messenger proclaimed himself to be an angel of God, sent to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant [or promises] which God made with ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled, that the preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah was speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the Gospel in all its fullness to be preached in power, unto all nations that a people might be prepared for the Millennial reign. I was informed that I was chosen to be an instrument in the hands of God to bring about some of His purposes in this glorious dispensation." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 439; emphasis added)

19. Nephi affirms importance of the promises-- 4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him. 5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death. (2 Nephi 11:4-5)

20. The Savior said-- D&C 45:16 And I will show it plainly as I showed it unto my disciples as I stood before them in the flesh, and spake unto them, saying: “As ye have asked of me concerning the signs of my coming, in the day when I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven, to fulfil the promises that I have made unto your fathers, (quote mark added)

21. This brings us to a second point to keep in mind---

22. This brings us to a second point to keep in mind— • Recall what Nephi said: • 4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ . . . • 5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers. . . (2 Nephi 11:4-5)

23. The redemption of Jesus Christ are at the heart and core of “the promises made to the fathers.”

24. Knowing the importance of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, the question is:

25. Knowing the importance of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, the question is: • What role do the promises play in bringing about the redemption of mankind and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan purposes?

26. Instead of looking at “the promises” in this manner ---

27. Let’s look at “the promises” this way--

28. Lord’s Objective in the Plan of Exaltation

29. Salvation and Exaltation: *Each child saved *Zion-the celestial kingdom

30. Salvation and Exaltation: *Each child saved *Zion-the celestial kingdom

31. Salvation and Exaltation: *Each child saved *Zion-the celestial kingdom

32. Salvation and Exaltation: *Each child saved *Zion-the celestial kingdom

33. Salvation and Exaltation: *Each child saved *Zion-the celestial kingdom

35. Enochian Covenant

36. The enochian covenant