Priesthood Through the Scriptures

By Clinton Matthews

How does one obtain the wisdom to discern between the truth and that which is false? Can one look to the institutions of higher learning? Is the station and high achievements of some individuals a proper yard stick? By what measure is the validity and reliability of their work and words measured? Can one feel safe and secure in the established order of what has been generally accepted by the great majority? Truly the last question one should ask is: was God so nieve as to leave mankind without the means to find out the truth in such a way as to preclude any chance of missing the mark?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483671529

Clinton Matthews

I was born on January 7, 1935, at the town of Wewoka, Seminole Co., Oklahoma, the first of three children born to my parents. When I was approximately four years old, my parents, along with other relatives, left Oklahoma and went to California in order to find work. I then spent my youth in and about Los Angeles, California, where I went to school. I graduated high school from the Lynwood High School in 1954. Upon graduating, I joined the air force and remained in the air force for twenty years. I was married in 1958 to Rosalie I. Fadley. We had four children, two girls and two boys. My wife died on the November 2, 1993. I have not remarried. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in 1954. I have done nothing significant or of note since. I began writing this book approximately ten years ago. I have spent my life in the study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have held many responsible positions in the church. I was ordained a high priest in the Church of Jesus Christ.

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Copyright © 2013 by Clinton Matthews.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2013913078

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4836-7151-2

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4836-7152-9

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Rev. date: 07/20/2013

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This is to acknowledge the invaluable help I received by Sister Janice Switzer for her help in the making of this little book. Her comments, and corrections are greatly appreciated.

CHAPTER ONE

It is strange indeed that despite the supposed truth and perfection of the scriptures, despite the doctrine of Infallibility, there exists such a great disparity of belief in what the scriptures say. Such a broad expanse of opinions about the meaning of what is written in the scriptures have brought about a great disparity. With the thousands of religious organizations found in the world one is forced to conclude as Joseph Smith did, The Pearl Of Great Price; Joseph Smith, P 47: 12. . . . how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had,I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

One might think that after thousands of years of study and reflection upon the scriptures any questions that may arise would have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. This just is not the case. In fact just the opposite seems to be the case. Despite all the exploring men have done in the scriptures they seem to be growing farther and farther apart in their understanding. This is evidenced by the many written words of so called scholars in the field of religious studies. Instead of coming down to a common and un refuted text, religious teachers have broadened their rhetoric. Sometimes it appears as though they have gotten caught up in their own momentum and left behind what-ever it was that started them on their quest.

There has been no lack of newly found materials to be gleaned for further enlightenment. Literally thousands of newly discovered and very ancient documents have been unearthed. So many that this generation has not the ability to translate and interpret the material in a single life time. It is as if the past has caught up to the future and to some degree has eclipsed it. What a marvelous opportunity is now in the hands of the modern researcher. Great care has to be taken for the researcher can be overwhelmed and buried with such a mass of information.

There are in modern Christianity numerous persons who present themselves as authorized representatives of God, The Father. For the most part these persons have come to be in positions in which they find themselves by a belief that to attempt to bring the word of God to others is by its very nature something they ought to do. It is of course, a good thing to do, to bring souls too God, and help bring salvation to men. But, as one looks about and listens it soon becomes apparent that there is something amiss. There is something about all these good intentioned persons that is troubling. By what authority do they act? When and by what means were they commissioned? Is it no great wonder then that despite all that is brought into the light of day that the confusion should be growing rather than diminishing.

With the onset of modern technology, and the media, rather than there being a unity of effort to expose error and bring to pass a correct understanding there has grown up a battle. It is a battle in which men are striving to obtain for themselves supremacy over the minds of the masses. This they do that they might advance their own ideas that they may be able to pry out of the hands of the masses (whether willing or unwilling) power, glory, riches, and unquestioning servitude. There are relatively few who are sincere. Those who are sincere do much good. Religion then becomes the tool by which priest craft is introduced. Priest craft is the art of making money or gaining power in the name of religion. No wonder then that so many reject organized religion. But of course that only leaves disorganized religion and who wants that?

We then find ourselves in what might be called the great enigma. How does one obtain the wisdom to discern between the truth and that which is false? Can one look to the institutions of higher learning? Is the station and high achievements of some individuals a proper yard stick? By what measure is the validity and reliability of their work and words measured? Can one feel safe and secure in the established order of what has been generally accepted by the great majority? Truly the last question one should ask is: was God so nieve as to leave mankind without the means to find out the truth in such a way as to preclude any chance of missing the mark? When one considers the importance of knowing what is required of men that they might obtain a fullness of the Father. It would be a sad affair if there was not an established form or order by which one could be assured that they found the way, meaning the way back, to the presence of the Father. To enjoy endless glory and eternal life, with God forever, in his kingdom requires that we find the right way the straight and narrow path. Such a task obviously would not be left in the hands of man alone. It is here and now proposed that God did indeed prepare the means by which men might find themselves upon the true path of knowledge. The means would of necessity remain the same and unchanged from the very beginning. Especially Since God is an unchanging God and not subject to the opinions and whims of men.

There can be found in the scriptures certain key words which upon close examination seem to fit the necessary criteria. They are: Priesthood, prophet, chosen, spirit, law, and kingdom. The most important word being revelation. A close look at each of these words may help to understand their importance For instance what is Priesthood. To understand what Priesthood is One needs to see what the scriptures say about it. Exodus 40:15, . . . for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations Also Numbers 25:13, . . . Even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; . . . Clearly Priesthood is forever or in other words it has no beginning and will have no ending. Lets take a look at the word Prophet in the scriptures. Numbers 12:6, . . . If there be a Prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, . . . Plus Jeremiah 1:5, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. There is no doubt that prophets are foreordained to become prophets, thus a prophet becomes one even before the world was created. Now let us examine the word chosen. It says at John 15:16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you… and John 15:19, . . . but I have chosen you out of the world, . . . God does the choosing not men, and he chooses them out of the world. God is not restrained by time so he may make his choices when it suits him even from the very beginning. Next we come to the word spirit; The word spirit means different things to different persons. I only wish to point out the eternal nature of Spirit.as it pertains to an unchanging God as well as his Gospel. It is stated at (Doctrine and Covenants) D&C Section 131:7, There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes.

In connection with the following it becomes clear that Spirit is from before the beginning and will be long after D&C Section 93:29, Man was also in the beginning with GOD. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. and D&C Section 93:33, For man is spirit, the elements are eternal, and spirit and element inseparable connected, receive a fullness of joy.. Three more words remain. They are law and kingdom and revelation Because God by his very nature is eternal, all that he does is also eternal. He does not change. His laws are eternal. D&C 88 :11, And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlightenith your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understanding and (12) Which light procedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. and . . . is the Law by which all things are governed… Gods laws are eternal and all things are governed by his law. Psalms 145:13,