May 1, 2011
To: My Loved Ones
From: Dad, Grandpa etc Richard M Pratt
Re: Marriage
“In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare.
Truth is reason, truth eternal, Tells me I've a Mother there.” Eliza R. Snow
Or in the words of President Brigham Young, “We were created upright, pure, and holy, in the image of our father and our mother, the image of our God. Discourses of Brigham Young 51
Mankind are here because they are the offspring of parents; who were first brought here from another planet, and power was given them to propagate their species, and they were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.” Ibid 105
How does God transfer mortals from one planet to another? By the process of “Translation.” What this means exactly we don't know but the mortal body is still mortal and must die at some later time. A few examples from the Bible was the “City of Enoch” and John the Revelator and from the Book of Mormon, the Three apostles known as the Three Nephites. All of these remain in that condition until the coming of the Lord.
Apparently then Adam and Eve were translated from a previous world to this one and placed in the Garden of Eden and were given an opportunity to go back to a mortal stage subject to death by eating something that would change their bodies.
“When was there a beginning? There never was one; if there was, there will be an end; but there never was a beginning, and hence there will never be an end.” Ibid 47
There never has been a time when there have not been worlds like this, and there never will be a time when there will not be worlds organized and prepared for intelligent beings to dwell upon...there never was a time when man did not exist, and there never will be a time he will cease to exist...the Priesthood of God is unchangeable in its system of government and its gospel of salvation.
Man is the offspring of God ~ No human being has the power to organize his own existence. Then there is a greater than we. Are we our own in our bodies? Are we our own in our Spirits? We are not our own. We belong to our progenitors ~ to our Father and our Mother and our God.
Things were first created spiritually. The Father (and our Mother) actually begat the spirits and they were brought forth and lived with him (them).
I want to tell you, each and everyone of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father (and God our Heavenly Mother). You are all well acquainted with them, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in their home and dwelt with them year after year, and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with them, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know. There is not a person here today but what is a son or daughter of these beings. In the spirit world their spirits were first begotten and brought forth, and they lived there with their parents for ages before they came here. This perhaps, is hard for many to believe, but it is the greatest of nonsenses in the world not to believe it. If you do not believe it, cease to call him Father; and when you pray, pray to some other character. Ibid 50
The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like himself; when we have been proven in our present capacity, and have been faithful with all things he puts into our possession.
How many will become thus privileged? Those who honor the Father and the Son; those who receive the Holy Ghost, and magnify their calling, and are found pure and holy; they shall be crowned in the presence of the Father and the Son. Ibid 57
of securing to yourselves eternal life ~ to live and enjoy these blessings forever; you will say that is the greatest blessing that can be bestowed upon you. To live forever and enjoy the society of wives, children, and children's children, to a thousand generations, and forever; and also the society of brethren, sisters, neighbors, and associates, and to possess all you can ask for to make you happy and comfortable. What blessing is equal to this? What blessing is equal to the continuation to live, to the continuation of our organization? Ibid 96
How much matter do you suppose there is between here and some of the fixed stars which we can see? Enough to frame many, very many millions of such earths as this. Ibid 398
and were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, (I take it a particle to be a speck of sand) yea millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou are there; and also thou art just and thou art merciful and kind forever. Moses 7:30
Yet with all this vast kingdom. Our Father has but one goal. ~ “TO BRING TO PASS THE IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE OF MAN.” Moses 1:39
Like any good Father (and Mother) his eternal energies are to give to his children all that they are willing to receive. And in the quote above the two words IMMORTALITY AND ETERNAL LIFE have two different meanings.
Immortality is to live forever in some degree of happiness or even intense misery as will be the sons of Perdition. Immortality was automatically assured by the Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross to every soul. Nothing has to be done to earn it. It is a free gift.
Paul explains why by telling us that we did not bring death into the world:saying, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, (Adam) by man came also the resurrection of the dead. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” but every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; after ward they that are Christ's at his coming.” 1 Cor. 15:17-23
Now I'm going to take a dangerous course, and word the rest of this in modern jargon. It's dangerous for you, because if you are motivated to qualify yourself simply for the grand reward then you will still be disqualified as an eternal manager. But hopefully the modern wording will be so clear that you will be motivated to develop that pure love of Christ which is absolutely essential to Eternal life or leadership in the kingdom. (Yes, I know I’ve used this quote a few memos back but it is absolutely imperative that you understand it.
“For who so is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying of their callings, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
And also all they who receive this priesthood, receive me saith the Lord;
For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me, and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's Kingdom; THEREFORE ALL THAT MY FATEHR HATH SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO HIM.
And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood, Therefore all those who receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
But who so breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.
And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
Comment: Notice that God is making a covenant with an oath to all who qualify themselves which He cannot break. You in turn also will make a covenant with an oath to live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. Included in that oath and covenant you will receive two priesthoods, the lower being called the Aaronic and the higher the Melchizedek. ~ Priesthood means that God delegates to all who receive it the right to act in his name. And by appointment over any area of his vast holdings you govern, control, speak and officiate as tho you were God.
This life is a proving ground to see if we are dependable. Perhaps the smallest assignment we might receive here is home and / or visiting teaching. Only responsible for three to five families, if we can't be dependable in serving their needs, how can we be favored with Godhood and be trusted with the welfare of a world or worlds?
How about tithing? How can we be trusted with the vast riches of a world or many worlds if we are not dependable in our paltry little contributions here.
Or if we are not faithful in our prayers how could the Father let us rule over a vast area if we were not faithful in communicating with the head office. And all of the rest of the commandments.
But the greatest qualification for eternal leadership is marriage for time and all eternity which can only be performed in a temple dedicated for that purpose. No man will ever preside over a world or even a house in town who does not have one of our Father's daughters sealed to him, to walk by his side to bare his eternal children and be a forever helpmeet which means to help him meet the challenges of worlds without end. And that daughter is to rule with her husband as an equal partner forever.
Who desires to enter the eternal world and be a servant, when the promise is held out that we may be sons and daughters of God, Kings and Queens. Let us be among those who qualify to rule and reign in the Celestial worlds forever. Few there will be that arrive at that glorious state, and why; because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world and aspire to the honors of men that they do not learn this one lesson. That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principle of righteousness.
That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is with drawn, Amen to the Priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the “pricks” to persecute the Saints, and to fight against God. D&C 121:34-38
I love the following description of a women worthy to be an eternal Mother in Heaven.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a protion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land, she maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She looketh well to the ways of her household; and in her tongue is kindness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:10-31)
(Marriage continued next memo)
Love, Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard Marden Pratt
The Women in our lives by Gordon B Hinckley October 2004 General Conf. (see it at: lds.org)
“And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman” (Gen. 2:20–23).
And so Eve became God’s final creation, the grand summation of all of the marvelous work that had gone before.
Notwithstanding this preeminence given the creation of woman, she has so frequently through the ages been relegated to a secondary position. She has been put down. She has been denigrated. She has been enslaved. She has been abused. And yet some few of the greatest characters of scripture have been women of integrity, accomplishment, and faith.........
How thankful I am, how thankful we all must be, for the women in our lives. God bless them. May His great love distill upon them and crown them with luster and beauty, grace and faith. And may His Spirit distill upon us as men and lead us ever to hold them in respect, in gratitude, giving encouragement, strength, nurture, and love, which is the very essence of the gospel of our Redeemer and Lord. For this I humbly pray, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. (READ THE TALK IT IS POWERFUL!)
LDS Women Are Incredible! By Quentin L. Cook of April 2011 general conference
Author and historian Wallace Stegner wrote about the Mormon migration and gathering to the Salt Lake Valley. He did not accept our faith and in many ways was critical; nevertheless, he was impressed with the devotion and heroism of our early Church members, especially the women. He stated, “Their women were incredible.” 1 I echo that sentiment today. Our Latter-day Saint women are incredible!
God placed within women divine qualities of strength, virtue, love, and the willingness to sacrifice to raise future generations of His spirit children.
A recent United States study asserts that women of all faiths “believe more fervently in God” and attend more religious services than men do. “By virtually every measure they are more religious.” 2
I was not surprised by this result, particularly as I reflected on the preeminent role of families and women in our faith. Our doctrine is clear: Women are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves them. Wives are equal to their husbands. Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family. 3
These two talks are powerful and you can enjoy them as modern day witness about women, going along with Dad's memo. lds.org is a wonderful site - try it out and learn!
